Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Ireland, says MEP

THE letter from Prionsías de Rossa (‘EU treaty: SF and le Pen on the same side’, January 23) was very instructive in that he did not put forward even one reason why Irish voters should support the Lisbon Treaty.

Instead he trots out nonsense which many in his own party wouldn’t accept, never mind the general public.

For the record I firmly believe that Ireland’s place is in Europe. Co-operation with our European partners is valuable and must continue.

The challenge is to build a modern, democratic Europe for a modern democratic Ireland. The Lisbon Treaty, like many of the treaties that went before it, does not deliver reform, efficiency or democracy.

Put simply, it is a bad deal for Ireland. It gives the EU too much power and reduces our ability to stop decisions that are not in Ireland’s interests. It cuts our voting strength on the European Council by more than half and ends our automatic right to a commissioner. It erodes neutrality by drawing this State into a common defence and obliging us to increase military spending. It allows the EU to act in the international arena in the same way as a state and to form a diplomatic corps. It seriously undermines workers’ rights and public services.

I believe that how we vote on this treaty is one of the most important decisions that the electorate of this State will be asked to make. And it is important that as public representatives we play our part in setting out the facts, not juvenile mudslinging or negative campaigning.

Over the coming weeks Sinn Féin will be holding public meetings across the state on the Lisbon Treaty. I invite people to attend them.

Mary Lou McDonald MEP

Parnell Square

Dublin 1