Peter Power TD on the Lisbon Treaty
Peter Power—Limerick East TD, and recently-appointed Minister of State for Overseas Development—has written a guest post for The Limerick Blogger on the Lisbon Treaty. The ‘yes’ camp has been fairly quiet up to recently, but, with the appointment of Taoiseach Cowen, it looks like that’s going to change. Given that the Treaty has already triggered so much debate in the comments here, we thought we might as well get a few more perspectives. So without further ado, here’s the unedited text of Peter’s piece:
“Everyone knows that joining the EU was one of the best decisions our country ever made. A generation of true patriots saw that Ireland’s future was in Europe. Leaders like Seán Lemass and Paddy Hillery made sure that we didn’t join what is now the European Union in a defensive way – we joined as active and positive members. This is why it has worked so well for us. Others have sat at the margins but we have been at the centre, shaping a Union which has helped us and Europe as a whole to prosper.
As I travel across Limerick meeting people they often ask me ‘why do we need yet another European referendum?’ The answer is quite simple – the world is changing and so too must the EU. To tackle modern forces such as globalisation, climate change and cross-border crime countries cannot stand alone; and for us this means that we need an EU which has the structures, policies and procedures capable of having an impact.
This is what lies at the heart of the Lisbon Reform Treaty and this is why it is important for Ireland and for Europe that it be ratified.
The Treaty is the result of eight years of consultations and negotiations. Much of the detail of the Treaty was directly shaped during our Presidency of the European Council.
This is a good and balanced treaty which protects what works best in the Union and reforms it in important ways. The most significant of these changes are:
· It reforms the EU’s institutions and decision-making procedures – especially in ensuring that it can cope with the trebling of membership since we joined.
· It introduces a number of changes to increase transparency and democratic oversight of the Union.
· It expands the Union’s role in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts authorised by the United Nations.
· It ensures that the Union has a clearer voice on the world stage.
· It strengthens the Union’s power to act on major challenges such as climate change, cross-border crime and energy security.
Bringing the positive message of these important changes to every community in the country is at the core of the campaign that the Fianna Fáil organisation is undertaking under the determined leadership of our new leader and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Ours is a positive message, but we will not be slow to counter the attacks of those who want Ireland to change its approach to Europe. During every European referendum groups have emerged which have claimed that deep conspiracies are being hatched against the people of Ireland. The most common tactic has not been to try to persuade people, but to try to confuse them.
We have no intention of standing back and letting them distort the Treaty or demonise a Union which is so important to the success of modern Ireland.
The Government is focusing all its efforts during this time of international economic uncertainty on trying to help businesses through these difficult times and the message is very clear; now more than ever we need the EU. We need it to be able to open up markets in Europe and the wider world for our companies. We need it to support our companies in finding new products to exploit these markets We need it to invest in building up our infrastructure.
This is why IBEC, the Small Firms Association and other organisations representing job creators are all supporting the Treaty.
Europe has also been central to supporting rural communities in a wide range of ways. We are determined that this support will continue, but we have to make sure that we do nothing to damage our ability to build strong alliances with other countries.
The bottom line is that this Treaty is true to the model of a European Union which has delivered so much for Ireland. Ireland needs the Union to be efficient and effective, and Ireland needs it to focus on meeting ever-changing modern challenges.
If Europe is to remain relevant, if it is to continue to be a driver of peace and prosperity it cannot stand still. This is why we need reform and we need the Lisbon Reform Treaty.”
May 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Why do Irish politicians feel the need to push a Yes or No vote upon the citizens of this nation? Why can you not just explain the pros and cons and let us make our own informed decisions? Get rid of all those useless posters, fliers, ads and other propaganda that pushes party agendas. Explain it in clear English/Irish and kindly keep your personal opinions on what way we should vote to yourselves. In fact, why even give us a referendum if you’re going to then pressurize us ad nauseum into voting one way or another?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Ack. Clicked Submit too cuiqckly.
There shouldn’t be “Yes camp” or “No camp” - just a single open-minded public referendum camp.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The government are going to push for a yes vote because it is the best deal they could negotiate when the lisbon treaty was being drawn up. I am a little disappointed that the opposition are supporting it too as it does not give an alternate view on it. That is what the opposition is supposed to be for is it not, to keep the government in check?
The government will also push for a yes vote as the boys in Europe have told them “you [as in the country] will get all the things you negotiated if your country votes yes”
May 15th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
If you want an unbalanced view of the treaty, or any other referendum you can go to the referendum commission website
http://www.refcom.ie/
May 15th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
He wasn’t to pushed about European integration when Aer Lingus shafted Shannon. Typically politician condescending BS.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
“Everyone knows that joining the EU was one of the best decisions our country ever made.”
We did not join the EU, we joined the EEC. Just shows what our so called politicians know.
Vote “NO” for a better deal. And lets not be bullied into a yes vote just to make our politicians look good. People who’s right to vote which was removed from them all over Europe are depending on us.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Can’t believe the limerick blogger gave any politician an open forum. Used to believe the blogger was a bit revolutionary not so sure now!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
We give everyone an opportunity, see limerick blogger election project.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Oh and in future send your feedback to editors@limerickblogger.org
May 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Dont remember him being to keen to commuincate with the voters around the time of the Aer Lingus pullout!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I have asked severaly politicians on the yes side if there is a possiblity if my grandchildren or decendents will be drafted into a european war in the future and none of them will go on the record and give me a definite no. Would Petet Power care to go on the record and say that Irish citizens will never be drafted into fighting in a european war?
May 15th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
While I would be very definitely pro-Europe, this pushing down our throats by the parties here of the yes vote is grating.
On the Last Word they had a (German) European councilor talking about the vote/treaty and she was asking everyone to think about the pros and cons and inform themselves and to vote on what they thought themselves was best. None of this “vote yes” or else your buggered stuff which the parties here put forward.
Is Europe a democracy. We voted NO to the Nice treaty and they came back again. Is the same thing going to happen this time ? Is it only democratic as long as we vote as they want us to vote ?
Ronan
May 15th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
quote:-
” We need it to support our companies in finding new products to exploit these markets We need it to invest in building up our infrastructure. ”
My thoughts on maintaining vital air links to Shannon Airport exactly, Peter.
Oh sorry, you were talking about something else….Lisbon….right! Must be confused since I was obviously mistaken in thinking you had been struck dumb since the Aer Oráiste pullout. Still got that 25% shareholding that you never use except when supporting Hatchet Mannion in the back pocket, have you?
May 15th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Well done the Limerick Blogger for allowing a politician to put himself on the firing range.
I’ve a few points and questions for Mr. Power. Let me preface this by saying that I’m impressed that Mr. Power has put himself in the firing line and I just hope that he has the guts to engage with this community, rather than engage in a hit and run policy.
Not everyone knows or believes that one of Ireland’s best decisions ever was to join the EU (or more properly, the EEC as The Maker pointed out). And indeed, we’ve always been in Europe and would be regardless as to our association with the EU. Many would argue that seeking and securing independence was one of Ireland’s best choices ever and that handing over a degree of Irish sovereignty to the EU was a step backwards and indeed an admission that we could never strive for self-sufficiency and independence. Feel free to attack me for this viewpoint rather than engaging with the point made.
My first question refers to the common defence clause in the proposed treaty/constitution. What is the difference between NATO and this clause?
In reference to the European Water Framework Directive, which we know the current government has used as an excuse, to avoid taking responsibility for imposing water charges on schools, old folks homes, etc. - isn’t this treaty/constitution more of the same, where the government has an effective blame hound when they are found wanting in their duties as elected representatives? To contrast the Irish government’s cherry picking attitude to this directive and in general its partership with the EU, allow me to point out that the good people of Pallaskenry and Kildimo have been forced to swap their clean and pure water supply, the Bleach Lough, with Alcan, for its highly polluted water, the river Deel. Isn’t it a fact that if the consultation module of the European Water Framework Directive had been implemented when it should have been implemented, that these good people would have had both a very good platform and a very strong legal case to fight this atrocity?
A couple of months ago, Dick Marty, head of the EU commission’s task force to investigate the crime against humanity, known as Extraordinary Rendition, said that to accept assurances from the US without investigating the issue, was to be complicit in the crime. Ireland amongst many other EU states have been criticised for not responding to the request for more information by this task force. The EU opinion on this is that this will not be a problem in the future, as after the treaty/constitution is ratified and implemented, such requests will require an answer and failure to answer will be seen to be an unlawful act. Currently, Ireland is not obligated to answer to such requests (though a sense of justice and human rights would dictate that such requests be answered). My question is this: Does accountability for its cowardice and abuses not frighten this government, or is there some sneakilly crafted get out clause that I’m unaware of?
Isn’t it the case that neutrality is a joke in the yes/no debate on this treaty/constitution, only because Ireland’s idea of neutrality is a joke anyway, when one considers the lawful definition of neutrality?
Well I don’t want to hog your attention Mr. Power so I’ll leave it at that. Some attempt at answers would be much appreciated. Again, well done and thanks Limerick Blogger.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
squid.
the opposition dont have to disagree with everything the government propose. that would be very negative.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Peter Power telling us to vote for lisbon?? Is’nt he the guy who disappeared when the flights from Shannon to London were stopped? Anything he does is not for the benefit of the midwest.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
The Treaty was also the result of ignoring the democratically-expressed wishes of the French and Dutch people. We have nothing to fear from voting no. The French and the Dutch are still in the EU. The only people who have anything to fear are FF politicians looking for jobs in Brussels. I voted yes to the other EU treaties, and consider myself pro-EU and pro-Euro. But that does not mean I have to agree to everything put in front of me just to be a ‘good european’. I will be a good Irish person first. We have lost enough independence. Brussels already gives us 80% of our legislation. For 13 yrs the EU Court of Auditors has refused to endorse the EU budget’s accounts because of 50 billion euros going missing every year. The corruption in the EU is unreal.
My main objections, leaving aside the French and Dutch issue, are:
A: The Charter of Fundamental Rights will override the Irish Constitution. Gerard Hogan SC has said it may eclipse the Irish Supreme Court, depending on how the ECJ interprets it. I can’t take the risk. I am especially concerned about the Charter’s provisions on asylum and the risk that Irish deportation orders or asylum laws could be struck down by the ECJ.
B: The Irish weighted vote is halved while that of Germany is doubled. Furthermore, it becomes harder to block proposed EU laws we don’t like on the Council of Ministers, because for the first time a population-weight of over 35% will be needed to block a proposed EU law, along with over 45% of the states. That compares to the current QMV rules requiring only 38%+ of the states including 26%+ of the weighted vote to block laws we don’t like.
C: The erosion of the veto is unacceptable. For no reason, we are losing vetoes like public-health, energy, culture, tourism and sport, as well as on the statutes of bodies like the ECJ, ECB/EIB. The latter could lead to us losing our representation on these bodies just like we are losing our automatic right to a Commissioner.
D: Article 48 will allow more vetoes to be given up without a referendum in Ireland, in part by avoiding the need for new treaties.
E: A study by the London School of Economics confirms that if anything even more EU legislation is coming per annum since EU Enlargement, dispelling the claims by the yes side that we need to give up the vetoes in Lisbon to avoid gridlock.
F: Generations fought and died for Irish independence. Handing over our remaining independence would dishonor their sacrifice.
Vote no.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
no need to convince me..BIG NO from me..
remember Aer Lingus Mr Power..?
May 15th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
me too, remember shannon heathrow. VOTE NO
May 15th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
“As I travel across Limerick meeting people” it’s not the Gobi desert Peter.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Was this the price for a minor promotion? Newsflash Peter…we remember your silence on Shannon. I’m with King John on this one….payback time!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I’m voting NO but because of the uncertainty of our neutral status for generations to come.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Some of the comments are getting a little personal, can we stick to the discussion on the Lisbon Treaty and the points raised in the post please.
attack the ball, not the player and all that.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Well, given that it’s an article by Peter Power on the Lisbon Treaty, rather than just an article about the Lisbon Treaty, I think a certain amount of discussion about the player is justified :).
Also, as Notanimpersonator said, I think he deserves some credit for putting his neck out and arguing the case here. It shows more balls and progressiveness than most politicians have.
May 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
patrick….I think he deserves some credit for putting his neck out and arguing the case here. ”
Not really Patrick, Cowen has ordered his minsters to get involved. Peter has had a minor promotion and is now being asked to pay the price.
I dont recall Peter being a guest blogger here during the aer lingus shannon debate when courage was actually called for.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
He was unavailable Pat.
Up in Glenstal taking a vow of silence, which could only to be broken in the event of a promotion.
Saints be praised. He speaks. Biffo’s first miracle.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Shannon-Heathrow is such a broken record at this stage.
The only way the vote of the government would have countered was if they voted with Ryanair to counter the decision. If they did that Michael O’Leary would have been able to bring a case to the competition authority in the E.U. stating that the government was, again, interfering in the market and, as a result, would have eventually been able to buy out Aer Lingus meaning less competition in the market.
Is it unfortunate? Yes. Was there anything Peter Power could have done? No. Did he want the Shannon-Heathrow route gone? Of course not.
Was he silent on the matter? He did as much as he could as written about in this very blog:
http://www.limerickblogger.org/blog/2007/08/09/aer-lingus-screws-the-west-day-3
http://www.limerickblogger.org/blog/2007/09/27/dail-debate-on-shannon-heathrow-underway
In fact, just do a google search on it. And this was when he was only a backbencher.
And if you still aren’t satisfied and want to blame a politician anyway, you can blame that muppet Dempsey.
I think it was great that the limerickblogger was considered such a good blog that a politician wanted to use it as a podium.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Redsky Says:
“Shannon-Heathrow is such a broken record at this stage. “”…Permit me to disagree.
“Was there anything Peter Power could have done? “….Yes there was plenty he could have done but he made his choice and won a minor promotion.
This is not how I want to be represented in the Dail.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Shannon - Heathrow is still alive. Council elections next year and its payback for the muppets! Get up off your seats and vote the Fine Fail clowns OUT!!