‘Paddy the amiable pickpocket’ may show nasty streak in EU treaty vote

THE Green party’s debate last week about whether or not to support the Lisbon Treaty demonstrated the tough task ahead for those wishing to see the referendum passed.

Reading accounts of that debate, and in particular the perspective offered by Green party Senator Deirdre de Burca, offers little clarity or comfort to the confused.

De Burca made a complete mess of her “defence” of the treaty and her case for a ‘yes’ vote by highlighting in detail the very points that will form the central planks of the ‘no’ campaign.