Pooled influence means loss of sovereignty

FOREIGN Minister Micheál Martin reiterates the claim that what we are voting on in Lisbon II has changed (Irish Examiner, July 15).

However, this is hardly credible. Agreements are mere statements of intent without legal value.

The concept of a “decision” was invented by EU council lawyer Jean Claude Piris to provide a certain formula of words for the Danish government after their electorate rejected the Maastricht Treaty in 1992. It has no legal basis in the treaties. Thus the differences in the package Mr Martin speaks about are merely presentational.

The only credible part of his claim is that we will retain a commissioner, but this could easily have been achieved under Nice by a simple agreement. For example, a diplomat from a member state could also sit on the commission with observer status. When the minister writes that we should “pool influence” what this actually involves is surrendering our sovereignty and handing over our right to decide our own affairs.

Caitriona Connolly

Richmond

Templemore

Co Tipperary