Treaty will transform running of EU

“A treaty like no other” are the words of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

The reality is of course that enhanced cooperation has been agreed between the elite within the EU who know there will be major opposition by individual states that do not want their fiscal affairs tampered with.

Just 12 member states are all that are needed to bring the new treaty into force, which will be binding on all other member states, irrespective of their votes. The treaty will give the power to the EU to punish member states for not having sound fiscal policies, especial in relation to taxation to defend the strength of the euro. Under article 260, The European Court of Justice will be binding on the contracting parties and all monies will be directed to the European Stability Mechanism.

A “national correction mechanism” must be put in place by parties to the agreement, which will act automatically when the budgetary measures are out of alignment.

There are also balanced budget rules that must be followed and impinge on national sovereignty in a very specific way, that forces national governments to frame their budgets in a certain way. The fiscal agreement which will come into force on first of January 2013, if ratified, also champions the cause of enhanced cooperation and ushers “active” use of the procedure that has given birth to the current fiscal agreement.

This will mean that Ireland’s agreement on future treaties will not necessarily be sought particularly, nor is it required for current fiscal treaty. The up and coming treaty will change the entire character and framework on how the EU is run with a strong sense of moving away from unanimity for agreement to be found.

The EU will undoubtedly be a very different animal once the treaty is ratified and change the way national decisions are taken permanently.

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Co Cork