Lisbon Treaty

It turns out Ireland is having another Referendum for the Lisbon Treaty. After Ireland sensationally gave Europe an answer earlier this year, and voted NO to Lisbon. The powers that be in Europe decided that it was not the right answer, go again. From what I’ve heard so far the legal agreements changed to allow Ireland to have an EU commissioner all the time, in an attempt to appease the Irish worries. These agreements do not alter the Treaty document however.

Europe needs the Lisbon Treaty to move on, but it is right to throw the same document, still unexplained to Ireland again and tell them, vote Yes this time.

Is this democracy? Already happened with NICE treaty a number of years ago… Is this bully tactics by the EU, or is this how referendums should be passed through? Put it to the people, if its rejected, alter the document to relieve the worries and go again. Many objectors believe these changes weren’t made, and the document for referendum again is in fact the same, I cannot verify this presently however.

I am neutral to the Lisbon Treaty, I have not read it, or know how it affects Ireland or Europe. I just really disagree with the same document being put to vote twice. Another question worth thinking about, what do the Irish people know about legal documents, should we have to vote on these things which are very complicated for lay people to understand, or should the treaty be explained and clarified correctly by a completely unbiased NGO?

For not, I’m just going to sit back and watch, try to read up on it this time, vote on what I feel is the correct answer, if it agrees with Europe or not… and watch www.libertas.org Libertas come into their own again… a new political party for Ireland perhaps?

For that will have to wait and see what happens in the next general election…