Let’s have a debate on the real issues

THE debate on the Lisbon treaty is rapidly descending into a complete farce. Pro-treaty advocates appear intent on making a virtue of hoisting a ‘for sale’ sign over our national sovereignty, unashamedly highlighting what they consider to be the incredibly generous price we are being offered for selling our national soul.

On the anti-treaty side, it is regrettable the arena appears to be dominated by one small party cynically looking for a new raison d’être, as it were, a fresh suit to replace their now tattered attire of 30 years.

Yes, the EU has been a major triumph, succeeding in a way far beyond its founders’ wildest dreams. But we must not forget the glue that holds it together is money.

For the past 50 years the EU has been fortunate to develop in tandem with an era of spectacular global economic growth. However, as the stock markets are now showing, the resultant depletion of natural resources and the subsequent increase in environmental pollution means we can no longer rely on this global economic miracle to continue into the future.

As Europe enters this new era of uncertainty, it would be tragic if the pseudo-democracy promised in the treaty turned out to be a mask a new form of totalitarianism.

Or a form of absolutism imposed through numerous EU committees such as the infamously secretive Article 133 Committee which serves as puppet master for Peter Mandelson and his big business-orientated, neo-liberal policies.

Ireland deserves a real debate on all the issues. We owe it to ourselves, to Europe and, most of all, to the people who sacrificed so much for the sovereignty we now take so much for granted.

John Heney

Kilfeacle

Co Tipperary