EU treaties do not have a life of their own

IN her letter headlined ‘Why can’t Ireland follow German line on treaty (July 7), Kathy Sinnott repeats inaccurate claims about article 48 of the Lisbon Treaty and amendments to EU treaties.

A “self-amending treaty” is an oxymoron. Member states control the treaties. Treaties do not have a life of their own. They cannot be amended in any way without the agreement of each member state.

Nothing in article 48 of the Lisbon Treaty changes this basic principle.

Ireland does not need to follow Germany’s lead on parliamentary scrutiny. We are ahead of the posse. If you look at the text of the proposed amendment to the constitution you will see that the prior approval of the Dáil would be obligatory before the Government could ever agree to changing the voting arrangements in the EU.

A referendum will still be required in Ireland if any significant change is being proposed.

Mícheál Martin TD

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Iveagh House

St Stephens Green

Dublin 2