Lisbon treaty is a step too far

PJ McELHONE (Letters, April 7) rightly points out the historical benefits of the EU to this country.

Unfortunately, he fails to appreciate that the nature of the beast has now changed. And will change further, irrevocably and for the worse, if people vote ‘yes’ in the Lisbon treaty referendum.

The Lisbon treaty makes provision for further privatisation of health services. It is a charter for those who want to profit from sickness and adversity.

If you think there is an underfunded two-tier health system now, wait until national governments are unable to protect public provision from the profiteers.

The Lisbon treaty will copperfasten recent trends in the European labour market. The European Court of Justice has sanctioned the payments of Latvian wage rates in a construction project in Sweden. We have all seen the project at its worst in the Irish Ferries case.

The corporations which dominate the advisory committees in Europe will not be happy until as many occupations as possible pay only the minimum wage. And there are already those who are questioning the minimum wage itself. A ‘yes’ vote will hasten the ‘race to the bottom’.

If you can entertain the prospect of Irish troops heading for Iraq and Afghanistan, then you should vote ‘yes’. Britain, under Tony Blair, declared itself to be at risk from weapons of mass destruction. We know now this was not the case. Under the Lisbon treaty there would be a duty on all EU states militarily to assist a fellow member at risk of aggression. Had the provisions been in place in 2003, Irish troops would now be part of an occupation force in Iraq.

The Lisbon treaty makes provision for a permanent president.

One of the bookies’ favourites is Tony Blair. He would preside over an Ireland whose veto on his new laws would have been surrendered as a result of a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum.

It would be ironic indeed if all the struggles to get sovereignty based in Dublin were reversed within a century by the present generation.

The EU has been a good thing for Ireland. But the Lisbon treaty is a step too far.

The French and the Dutch thought so when, in effect, they voted against it. They have had their votes taken away this time around — as have all other citizens of EU member states. Ireland now stands alone against the creation of a Europe which is meaner, more militaristic and less democratic.

Vote for a European Union where the Irish still count — vote ‘no’ to creating a United States of Europe via the Lisbon treaty.

Kevin Foley

Shanahill

Keel

Castlemaine

Co Kerry