Writing about the European Union rates high on the EGQ - the eye-glazing quotient. In fact, most of us wonder whether it will take one or two references to concepts like subsidiarity before our readers subside into a comatose state. And that, of course, is part of the problem, writes Breda O' Brien.
Even as you read this, there is frantic lobbying going on by some of the major countries in the EU to prevent ethical principles being overturned, and Ireland has a key role to play.
Yet none of this registers on the domestic Richter scale. A cynic might wonder whether many of the EU mandarins prefer it that way, and whether they allow themselves little smiles of satisfaction when they see us riveted instead by the modern equivalent of bread and circuses, as represented by Roy Keane's lean form.
Enough paranoia. Some facts. Monday marks the formal adoption by the Council of Ministers of the Research Programme. It will also mark a major departure in EU policy, because activities which are illegal in some member states will now be funded by the EU. This means that for example, German and Irish taxpayers' money could be used to fund activities in Britain which are illegal in their own countries. A radical departure - yes, and, in particular, Germany, Italy and Austria are not happy as a result. Neither are we in Ireland, but as often happens, pressure is being exerted on us not to rock the EU boat . There are many vital and good areas of research being funded under the new programme. The problem area concerns embryo research and embryonic stem cell research.
Some weeks ago, the European Parliament approved EU funding for specific forms of stem cell research including on embryonic stem cells from abortions and on stem cells from so-called surplus human embryos, usually unwanted embryos from IVF procedures.
Prior to this, areas such as this which were highly controversial in member states were not funded at EU level, due to the aforementioned eye-glazing but important concept of subsidiarity.
The concept of subsidiarity means decisions should be taken as close to the citizen as possible and decisions at EU level should not cut across decisions made at national, regional or local level. If embryonic research funding goes ahead despite conscientious objections from member states, the national level will be well and truly over-ridden.
The research budget is one of the "co-decision" areas , that is, it must be approved both by the Council and the European Parliament. Monday marks a key stage in this process because the formal adoption of the programme by the Council happens then. If Germany, Italy, Austria and Ireland join together to declare that ethical considerations must be given much more weight in decisions on funding such as this, they will constitute what is known as a blocking minority. In other words, they can force the EU to take them seriously, and return the situation to the status quo. In previous research budgets, embryo research was specifically excluded because it was such a contentious issue, and funding was reserved to non-controversial areas such as adult stem cell research.
Ireland has a key role to play because even though under the weighted voting system we have only three votes, they are crucial votes. If this controversial funding is approved, it will set a worrying precedent. If it is embryo research today, what will it be tomorrow ? To be fair to the Irish Government, they feel that the key principle to preserve is that such research should not be carried out in Ireland. They are to be applauded for stating this principle so firmly. It is also likely that they felt that to oppose funding on embryo research at EU level would earn them a great deal of disapproval from other EU member states. In the realpolitik of the EU, that displeasure might rebound on them in some other completely unrelated area such as agriculture. If Ireland hung tough on this one, it could be punished when it was looking for support for other measures. Ironically, Commissioner Busquin, the commissioner with responsibility for research, may have strengthened the case against funding embryo research in other member states by his response to questions tabled in the European Parliament.
WHEN asked how he could reconcile funding something at EU level which could not be funded at national level, he responded that "national legislation should not interfere with an action properly taken at the Community level," and that to state otherwise would be "contrary to the respect of the pluralism (sic) resulting from Article 22 of the EU charter of fundamental rights and of Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union". This has raised hackles among some member states who see this as an unacceptable level of arrogance regarding EU decision-making processes.
Biotechnology is a vastly lucrative industry, and the UK for starters are eager for a major share of that market. Interesting idea, is it not, that Irish taxes could potentially be used to fund the profit-driven amorality of the UK's approach to this issue? Ireland has a vital role. To allow funding for embryo research may seem to some relatively minor now, but the precedent which it sets confirms the worries which Irish voters have that national priorities will receive less and less attention as time goes on.
Nor is Ireland required to do a heroic solo run. Germany, one of the more powerful countries in the EU is deeply uneasy at the precedent being set.
Italy, Austria and even Portugal have strong reservations also. Each of them alone can append declarations which are conscience-salving but politically useless. Together, they can actually achieve something.
Monday is important, but the final decision will not be taken until June 18th. Any decision which the Irish Government makes will be much easier if it feels it is receiving support from Irish voters at home. Make today the day you strike a tiny blow for democracy by telephoning Minister Noel Treacy's office to support him in taking action against this. The World Cup will still be there when you come back, but the mandarins' smiles might be a little more strained.
bobrien@irish-times.ie