Lively Public Meeting in Ennis on March 10th

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Timmy Dooley TD, Fianna Fáil

Patricia McKenna, People's Movement

The Treaty of Lisbon was debated at a lively public meeting on Monday 10^th March in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis on the Lisbon Treaty, organised by the National Forum On Europe.

The meeting opened with addresses by local Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley who called for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Treaty and by former MEP Patricia McKenna of the People's Movement who argued for a No vote.

Mr Dooley, who is Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, said that he firmly believed that it was in Ireland's future political and economic interest to vote in favour of the Treaty. "A vote in favour of the EU Lisbon Reform Treaty would ensure strong institutions in Europe to implement strong policies."

The Clare Deputy said the challenges facing Ireland's competitiveness were all global. "We need to have in place structures and procedures in Europe that will ensure that the European Union institutions will be able to address new political problems in Europe such as climate change and the fight against illegal drug importations," he said.

"We must remember at all times that the European Union only has the power to act in the political areas that the EU treaties give the European Union such powers," the Clare TD added. He also said that under the Treaty, national governments would still be able to set their own tax rates. "Decisions in the field of foreign affairs matters must also be taken with the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU member states."
 

However, Ms McKenna said that the Lisbon Treaty was unacceptable for many reasons "not least because it is a fundamental shift of power from the small to the big EU States, from National Parliaments to non-elected EU committees, the Commission, Council
of Ministers and Court of Justice."

The Chairperson of the People's Movement argued that the rights granted in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which is given legal-binding status, would not be fundamental after all." We have been told that our right to strike is fundamental but not as
fundamental as free movement of services", she said.

"Should the proposed Lisbon Treaty come into force we would rely on the
European Court of Justice (ECJ) to rule in favour of citizens or workers if
a dispute arose between them and their government regarding the
interpretation of any of the measures proposed in the Charter of Fundamental
Rights."

"However, the ECJ has already made it clear in at least two cases that the fundamental rights recognized by the Court are not absolute, but must be considered in relation to their social function. Consequently, restrictions may be imposed on the exercise of those rights, in particular in the context of a common organization of the market."

Ms McKenna also said that the Yes side were making exaggerated claims about the Treaty in relation to climate change.

"In fact, the Lisbon Treaty adds just six words on climate change: Article 171.1 of the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union refers to the promotion of measures to deal with environmental problems 'and in particular combating climate change.' However, no specific measures are mentioned. Measures to deal with climate change would merely be 'promoted'. The EU, therefore, could do nothing more than under existing treaties."

The meeting was chaired by the Forum's independent Chairman, Maurice Hayes, who confirmed that the Forum would be taking the debate on the Treaty of Lisbon to Letterkenny on Wednesday 26^th March and Sligo on Tuesday 27^th March. The Forum travels to Kerry tomorrow for a meeting on the Treaty in the Brandon Hotel in Tralee. 

Public Meetings March 2008 (further dates to follow in April):