EU constitution threat to our sovereignty

THE EU’s draft constitution, which was officially published for the EU summit in Greece, clearly sets out the transfer of power from member states to Brussels.

In a number of significant areas it may well signal the overruling of our own constitution, thereby eliminating our independence and our sovereignty.

Europe must be about co-operation, not domination or isolation.

How then could Ireland’s negotiators have agreed to a European Union which will have legal personality (Article 1-6) and primacy over all member states’ constitutions and laws (Article 1-10)?

There is no doubt that Ireland’s political leaders knew the intentions and objectives of the present constitutional document, which is to establish a political and legal identity for the EU that takes precedence over member states’ constitutions, governments and parliaments. I have raised the issue a number of times in recent years and it has been openly discussed in the European Parliament since 1999.

It is now time for all our political leaders to tell the Irish people the truth on this matter. There is no room for political games.

This is not merely a summary of existing treaties and rights; the proposed EU constitution will transfer more powers, competence and governmental functions to the EU and non-elected civil servants. It will allow Brussels to control everything, from our borders to our banks, our farmers to our fishermen, our families and our future.

This would have a devastating effect on our democratic rights.

Dana Rosemary Scallon, MEP,

6, Colonial Buildings,

Eglinton Street,

Galway