Lisbon Treaty would result in a loss of power for Ireland
Published: 15 January, 2008
Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald speaking in Strasbourg this afternoon said that contrary to what MEP Brian Crowley is suggesting proposals in the Lisbon Treaty would result in a loss of power for Ireland. She said is it laughable for Fianna Fáil to suggest that the loss of an automatic seat on the Commission somehow represents a new era for equality. EU reform is certainly needed but it is not contained in this Treaty.'
Ms. McDonald said, "Despite claims of making the EU more democratic and
efficient the Lisbon Treaty will move political power further away from
ordinary citizens offering only cosmetic increases in powers to
Parliaments in member states and the European Parliament in return.
Reform is needed but it is not contained in this Treaty.
"Fianna Fáil's suggestion that the loss of an automatic seat on the
Commission somehow represents a new era for equality is laughable.
Contrary to what Dick Roche and Brian Crowley have been saying in recent
days proposals in the Lisbon Treaty would result in a loss of power for
Ireland. The Lisbon Treaty would mean that we would no longer have an
automatic right to a Commissioner, our weighted voting strength on the
European Council would reduce by more than half and the country would
have one less member of the European Parliament.
"On top of this the Lisbon Treaty will see a massive transfer of power
away from the Dáil to Europe - the range of powers being proposed is far
greater than in any previous referenda. And it is worth noting that not
one power is being returned to parliaments in member states.
"The government says that EU needs reform and they are correct but they
seem to have forgotten that there have been a succession of treaties -
plenty of opportunities to introduce reform - but it has never been
availed of. So we can only conclude they are not serious about making
the EU either democratic or equal.
"This is not about efficiency. These are proposals that would have far
reaching consequences for our economy, our reputation internationally
and for democracy."
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