Fact from fiction

MAURICE O’CONNELL (Irish Examiner, August 28) mentions that it “was possible... to believe that Nice had little or nothing to do with enlargement of the EU”. Despite his implications, this viewpoint is absolutely right. The Nice Treaty is not needed for enlargement of the EU.

Up to five members can join under the Treaty of Amsterdam, and for further members to join, it simply requires a clause in their accession treaties. The Nice Treaty is required, however, to proceed with creating a two-tier EU, leaving behind those who do not want to take part, and preventing our chance to vote down another treaty. Let’s try and separate the facts from the propaganda in this debate.

Thomas Ralph,