Let’s have less cynicism and more debate

IN her letter (July 13), Dr Florence Craven puts forward what simply amounts to a number of conspiracy theories in relation to the Government and the Lisbon Treaty.

She said “our politicians want to sweeten Brussels in order to ensure top jobs for themselves in the future” and “our fat-cat politicians use the EU as a safety valve to conceal their own inability to be creative economically”.

I understand people are allowed to express their opinions and that there is a high level of cynicism towards politics in the current climate.

But Dr Craven’s comments are detrimental to the debate on the Lisbon Treaty as they put forward outrageous theories that are without any basis. I know nobody likes to admit it, but there has been a marked improvement in how the Government is handling this year’s referendum. Over the past year, it has clearly spent time trying to understand the reasons why people voted No last June and listen to the worries of the Irish people.

It was criticised last time round for not providing enough information and for starting the campaign too late in the day. This time it has started the campaign three months in advance and is sending out postcards to 1.5 million homes informing them of the issues in the October referendum.

We need to stop being so cynical about our politicians and use the next three months to have a constructive and honest debate on the Lisbon Treaty.

Let’s not always dismiss everything the Government does as having an ulterior motive.

Oran Drumgoole

Bettystown

Co Meath