Voters should have final say on changes

FOREIGN Minister Micheál Martin (Letters, July 11) counters Kathy Sinnott’s assertion that the Lisbon Treaty can take on a life of its own.

Mr Martin is correct on one count.

The bill for the 28th amendment of the constitution ensures that approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas is required in order to change areas from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV). However, he also claims that any “significant changes” will require a referendum in Ireland.

I consider changes to QMV in any area where Ireland maintains a veto to be significant, and Mr Martin is clear in his assertion that a referendum is not necessary in these areas.

Changes from unanimity to QMV fundamentally alter the framework within which the EU and the Oireachtas make decisions on behalf of the country. This is a new development in the EU that these changes can take place by agreement of the council rather than following the current ratification process. The subjective interpretation of “significant” is one that should be decided by the electorate as to whether they approve the change or not.

Dualta Roughneen

Ballinamore

Kiltimagh

Co Mayo