EU passes the democratic test

PERHAPS your columnist Hermann Kelly has emerged form a deep sleep recently judging by his column on the EU at 50 (Irish Examiner, March 23).

Last time I checked Irish ministers we elected played a decisive role at the EU council of ministers.

Last time I checked each successive step in the European integration process had been endorsed by the people in a referendum. But, as Mr Kelly indicates in relation to the euro, the people are stupid and make the wrong decisions, poor things.

The obvious step for Europe’s most successful economy since the euro was introduced is to revert to the punt. Right on, Hermann.

The wilful liquidation of national cultures is obviously going well, as can be seen in increased GAA attendances, flourishing Gaelscoileanna and a traditional music revival — or perhaps this is part of the conspiracy?

How is the EU bad for national democracy? It is the failure of our Government properly to account for its actions in Europe before our national parliament that is undemocratic.

Any MEP will tell you membership of the European Parliament is far more relevant and democratic than the Dáil not because of the amount of legislation (the bulk of which is effectively technical) going through the respective houses, but because you have a real say in matters through a proper committee system. The reason why the Dáil is a mere talking shop is nothing to do with the EU — it is because governments have totally downgraded its role.

What happens next in France and the Netherlands is nothing to do with the EU. The initiative lies with those states, as it did with us in the case of Nice.

The legal position is clear — the EU constitution cannot come into force until all states ratify it. What could be more democratic than a veto for all 27 states? Mr Kelly does not want somebody unelected by him dictating laws. Presumably, then, he refuses to recognise the Irish courts and a host of other quasi-judicial bodies which make decisions affecting our lives every day of the week.

I wish him well in trying to renationalise policy areas from the EU. Perhaps he would like to start with agriculture and explain to farmers how this will work.

On taxation policy, Ireland retains a veto, which most people probably support. However, it is probably a matter of time before Ireland realises the need for greater cooperation on taxation at European level, particularly when we are the ones being undercut by zero rates coming from the east. In the end it will be our decision.

If we wish to fight this battle, perhaps we should have kept more political capital in the bank rather than exhausting it all in making Irish an official language, another dastardly Brussels imposition! There is a difference between disagreeing with the process of EU integration and the democratically expressed wish of the Irish people, and asserting that the EU is anti-democratic. Perhaps Mr Kelly should be a bit more upfront about which it is in his case.

Michael McLoughlin

Riverwood Heath

Castleknock

Dublin 15