Image via Wikipedia I got an email today from the lovely people at European Movement Ireland which a good bit of information on the run up to Lisbon 2 Referendum. The bill setting up the Referedendum is published today, meaning that the Referendum Commission can be set up. Commission will aim to inform voters of the issue as well as encourage people to vote. The Commission will be made up of the following: A former judge of the Supreme...
Image via WikipediaI know I have stated before that I will vote no to Lisbon if it is put again to the electorate (here and here) but a post over on Slugger reminds me why I should vote yes. The Nice Treaty. I hated that treaty and when it comes to being a choice, as José Manuel Barroso said “We have either one Treaty or the other Treaty” and when it comes to me picking I prefer the Lisbon...
Image by friendly-fire via FlickrFionnan Sheahan had an excellent column in yesterdays Indo on how Cowen et al could actually pass Lisbon the 2nd time round. I have to agree with him on most of his points. 1 Read the “bloody” Treaty.This was a major one. Something I came across on the canvass and considering I actually read the treaty, its not impossible. But of course Cowen is not the only one, Mary Coughlan also needs classes on EU...
Again and again Lisbon raises it head. I was at an FG Branch meeting last week when an idea for a solution to Lisbon was aired. Split in three was the suggestion. The three sections would be: 1. The institutional reform part of the treaty 2. The Charter for Fundamental Rights 3. The Common Foreign and Security Policy Now that should make things a bit easier and you split the argument in 3 and means those who know the...
So it’s been awhile since I’ve done this but Europe seams to be pressing ahead with ratification despite the Irish ‘No’ Vote. I have changed the layout slightly to show ratifications as some states have passed the treaty but have not ratified it. Austria – Parliamentary Vote. Approved : 24/04/2008. Ratified: 13/5/2008 Belgium – Parliamentary Vote. Approved : 10/07/2008 Bulgaria – Parliamentary Vote. Approved 21/3/2008. Ratified : 28/04/2008 Cyprus – Parliamentary Vote. Approved : 03/07/2008 Czech Republic – Parliamentary...
From todays Indo TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has been given a year by his European counterparts to push through a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the Irish Independent has learned. EU leaders yesterday firmly ruled out a renegotiation of the treaty as a way to resolve the crisis caused by Ireland’s ‘No’ vote last week. Government sources said it was also made clear that there was no alternative to a new referendum. I am very annoyed!!! 55% of people...
I am getting very annoyed with certain leaders and pro-europeans on the European continent. Granted I was disappointed with the No vote but then again, I’m not surprised. It was very hard to sell and explain! And I had read the feckin thing! I still think that the EU needs reforming. Nice is not very satisfactory for me and we need reform, but not Lisbon. Its back to the drawing bored. Certain EU leaders (Both Government and Opposition) seam...
Yes, thats right! Libertas is telling lies! According to Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar Under Lisbon, the European Commission will be reduced in size to 18 Commissioners from 2014 and all countries will rotate on and off the commission in strict equality. In short, each country will nominate a Commissioner for ten years out of every 15. In fact, there is even a clause in the Lisbon Treaty that would allow for all countries to continue to have a...
Someone left a comment on “What Better Deal?“, since deleted, using the argument I hate the most. The Argument in question is, that other countries are being denied the vote. That is only true in one country in my opinion and that is the United Kingdom where the Labour Government promised a referendum, but did not deliver. In every other country this is not the case. In fact national referendums are illegal in Germany so the argument goes no...
Lisbon – Round II
Image by stephen.spillane via FlickrSo the stage is being set for us to vote on the EXACT same treaty again. Granted the only difference is that the member states will agree not to limit the number of EU Commissioners. The other changes will be copper fastening what we already have. A protocol on Abortion (Attached to Maastricht!), Military (Attached to Nice after Nice I) and Tax Sovereignty which is in all the treaties! Really come on like! How stupid...
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