Madam, - It is disturbing to see the leader of Fine Gael, which regards itself as the most communautaire of all our parties, calling for the early appointment of an EU Commissioner to ensure that Ireland gets an important portfolio ( The Irish Times, December 17th).
If even Enda Kenny confuses the role of an EU Commissioner with that of a national ambassador, how can the people be blamed if we can't get the Lisbon Treaty clear in our heads? - Yours, etc,
HUGO BRADY BROWN,
Stratford on Slaney,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, — I share David Carroll's keen disappointment with the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum (December 17th). I too voted Yes and shall do so again given the opportunity. But he should give credit where it is due.
I contend that the success of a few disparate bands of "unelected lunatics" demonstrates a competence on their part which one could only wish for in the current Government. By contrast, the abject incompetence displayed by the latter before, during and since the referendum offers little hope that it can ever negotiate a way out of the various messes into which it has led us. - Yours, etc,
P.J. McDERMOTT,
Sheeaune,
Westport,
Co Mayo.
Madam, - A consensus seems to be gaining ground that events of recent months make the case for ratifying the Lisbon Treaty more urgent. However, the reaction of the European elite - and of our Government - to our rejection of Lisbon vindicates a key suspicion of the No campaign: namely, that Lisbon is the latest artefact of an undemocratic European enterprise, however laudable or welcome some aspects of that enterprise may be.
We are told that this diplomatic marvel will be ratified regardless, with or without Ireland, but assuredly without the text itself being open for renegotiation. The expressed will of the only electorate given the opportunity to vote on the treaty appears to be merely an inconvenience, something to be subverted.
We should remember that Ireland is not alone in recently rejecting a European treaty. France and the Netherlands - two of the original six member-states - rejected a previous incarnation of the current treaty. Would the electorates of these (or of the other 24) countries accept Lisbon if it was put to them now? In any case their leaders are not giving them the opportunity to say and have ratified Lisbon anyway.
Does this sound like democracy in action? Government of the people, by the people, for the people? More like government in spite of the people. It would be refreshing, and even reassuring, if pro-Lisbon commentators could at least acknowledge the democratic scruples that must be set aside to allow this treaty to come into force. - Yours, etc,
SHANE O'ROURKE,
Tiffany Downs,
Bishopstown,
Cork.
Madam, — May I put the following question to those of your recent correspondents who use the use of the word "undemocratic" in the context of the Lisbon treaty referendum re-run? Had the result of Lisbon I been a Yes, would they consider calls for a re-run to be undemocratic?
Or would they respond to such calls with the familiar mantra: "The people have spoken"? Yours, etc,
DAN COSTELLOE,
Chapel Farm,
Lusk,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - Your Editorial "The Lisbon Treaty Package" (December 13th) gave a very fair account of the wheeling and dealing which had to take place to enable a re-run of the referendum. As you rightly stated, "This is no time for Ireland to separate itself conclusively from the European mainstream which can help us to recover".
I hope The Irish Timeswill bear this in mind in the coming months and endeavour to counter the exclusively anti-EU propaganda from the "Irish" versions of the English gutter press. - Yours, etc,
JAMES MORAN,
Knockanure,
Bunclody,
Co Wexford.