THE LISBON Treaty is essential if the European Union is to confront major global problems such as climate change, the German chancellor said in Dublin yesterday.
Rejecting charges that Lisbon will weaken the voice of smaller states, Angela Merkel said the larger ones often prove to be the ones who will have to change.
Predicting that greater use of majority voting will "be a bigger problem for the bigger states", she said countries such as Germany will be the ones who "will have to give up on national interests".
However, majority voting will help the EU to face up to modern challenges. "If too many countries use opt-outs it makes things more complicated. In the long run we will benefit from doing things together," Dr Merkel said.
Speaking to a packed Dublin Castle session, chaired by former senator Maurice Hayes, the chancellor said these were areas where "no country can go it alone" but needed to speak with one voice.
Citing provisions for more majority voting and the creation of a new high representative for foreign affairs, Dr Merkel said it would ensure the EU could "bring its weight to bear" in global negotiations. Seeking to calm those fearful of a European "super-state", the chancellor said "checks and balances" exist to ensure that unacceptable issues can be vetoed.
On corporation tax, she said, each country's "own distinctive approach" should be maintained.
"Legitimate competition is something that gives the EU greater strength."
The treaty would strengthen the European parliament, and give national parliaments the right to scrutinise any proposal coming from Brussels or Strasbourg at an early stage. "As a consequence there will be more of a public debate in member countries. That is a very important bonus," she added.
As a citizen of former east Germany, Dr Merkel pointed out that she has been an EU citizen for just half of Ireland's membership and said "the peaceful reunification of Germany could only have been possible with European reunification".
On Ireland's economic success, which was looked on with "surprise and amazement" by many, Dr Merkel said the country was an example for the rest of Europe to follow. While Ireland benefited from auspicious conditions, "you have also worked very hard", she said. "You have shown all of us how far you can come with political resolve and far-sightedness." Remembering the late president Patrick Hillery, Ireland's first European commissioner, she said he was "an Irishman who opened the door to Europe". Taoiseach Bertie Ahern agreed with Dr Merkel that Lisbon's ratification is essential for the EU to effectively confront global issues.
"The only answer for Ireland is on June 12th and I hope it's a resounding yes, and we assure all our colleagues in Europe that we want to move with them," he said.
Focusing also on corporation tax, Fine Gael's Richard Bruton said the treaty's safeguards would enhance the EU's democratic status.
Referring to Dr Merkel's assertion that no country could "go it alone", the Green Party's Patricia McKenna said the question was whether "this is the direction we want to go in".
While the EU had progressive policies on climate change, the treaty would confer it with no new legal powers in this area, she said.
Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party said the treaty would allow for greater arms spending, adding: "Why should we vote for the Lisbon Treaty when it gives a militarised foreign policy a new impetus?"