by rz
Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 at 08:58:56 AM EST
Sinn Fein has now presented a list of demands which have to be met in order to gain their support in a second referendum. This should be the list in full (taken from this article):
- The retention of a permanent commissioner for all member states;
- The retention of the Nice Treaty formulae [sic] for qualified majority voting;
- The removal of all eight self-amending articles including the simplified revision procedure in Article 48;
- The removal of Article 46a giving the EU a single legal personality;
- A strengthened protocol on the role of member state parliaments;
- A significantly expanded protocol on the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality including the aims and values of the EU;
- Substantial amendments to aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy;
- Substantial amendments to the section of Common Defence and Security Policy;
- A new protocol on neutrality;
- A strengthened social clause;
- A substantially revised protocol on vital public services;
- Amendments to articles dealing with public services and state aid;
- The inclusion of the European Trade Union Confederation Social Progress Clause to protect workers' rights;
- A protocol on Irish tax sovereignty;
- Substantial amendments on Article 188 dealing with international trade agreements including a cast-iron veto on mixed World Trade Organisation agreements;
- A new protocol ending Ireland's participation in the European Atomic Energy Community;
- A series of amendments to Articles 10 and 188 promoting the needs of the developing world in the context of international trade.
If you look at the points "every country a commissioner", "keeping all veto rights", "Nice formula for qualified majority voting" it becomes clear that they reject the very substance of the Lisbon Treaty, and is unlikely that these demands can be met. I also wonder what the British Eurosceptics, who
belive that they have super strong allies in the Irish no-campaign, think about "The inclusion of the European Trade Union Confederation Social Progress Clause".
A much shorter list on the major concerns of Irish voters has be presented by Taoiseach Brian Cowen:
- World trade talks.
- Suggestions of tax harmonisation.
- Loss of a commissioner.
- Change in Ireland's voting strength.
- Lack of democratic accountability of the EU high representative and president of the council.
- Possible European Court of Justice rulings on areas like abortion and euthanasia.
- Insufficient workers' rights.
- Defence policy.
A very good analysis of each of these points can be found at
Jon Worths Euroblog.
