9,000 Irish signatures needed to change EU law

EU citizens can try to change a law or introduce a new one by gathering just a million signatures, including a minimum of 9,010 from Ireland.

They can be gathered online and, provided they comply with basic human rights, Brussels will have to consider complying.

The rules, just revealed by the European Commission, say the million signatures must come from one-third of member states, currently nine countries.

It sets out the minimum number of signatures from each country, ranging from 4,500 for the smallest to 72,000 for the biggest, Germany. For Ireland the number will be 9,010.

The subject can be anything where the European Commission can propose legislation and covers almost every aspect of daily life, from agriculture to health, education to the environment, GMOs to banking.

“It can’t be frivolous, like Mickey Mouse for president. Or something that discriminates against people, that would be contrary to human rights. Or reviewing the treaties, that is the responsibility of the member states,” said commission spokesperson Michael Mann.

Once 300,000 signatures have been collected, the commission will rule if it is admissible, though they say this does not mean they will agree to bring legislation on the issue eventually. But if they do refuse, they have to explain exactly why.

Organising it will not be easy, though. The signatures must be collected within one year and each person signing will have to give a range of personal details, including their name and address, email, date and place of birth and a piece of identity such as their passport or social security number. All must be destroyed within 18 months of submission.

The organisers will have to have each country verify the identity of their citizens. They will also be responsible for translating the information on the proposed law into different languages and there will be no funding available. All sources of funding and support will have to be made known in an effort to prevent lobby and interest groups hijacking it. A majority of member states have some form of citizens’ initiative and this one was part of the Lisbon Treaty.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin welcomed it but said special arrangements will have to be put in place in Ireland as there is currently no system of popular initiative like this.