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.