SINN FÉIN TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has claimed the argument that voting No in the Lisbon Treaty referendum would result in the loss of a commissioner is “entirely false”.
Mr Ó Snodaigh said that, according to the Nice Treaty, when the European Union reached 27 member states the European Commission must be reduced in size. He said it also stated this could only happen with the unanimous agreement of the council. “This means that Ireland can only lose our commissioner under Nice if the Irish Government agrees to it,” he said. “It is important to note that claims by supporters of Lisbon that voting No will result in the loss of a commissioner are entirely false.”
The Sinn Féin deputy said the treaty would in his view “significantly weaken” Ireland’s voice in Europe. He claimed the Yes side in the referendum campaign was attempting to downplay the changes that would come about if the treaty was implemented, which he described as a “big deal”.
“The Lisbon Treaty, if ratified, will significantly weaken Ireland’s voice in Europe. No amount of scaremongering changes the fact that if Lisbon goes through, Ireland will have far less power than we have today,” he said.
The ratification of the treaty would amount to a “power grab” by larger states, Mr Ó Snodaigh claimed. “They will gain at the expense of smaller member states. That is why they are so determined to try and force it through.”
It was vital Ireland protected its “national interests” and maintained its strength in Europe.
Mr Ó Snodaigh said his party wanted to see Ireland play a strong and positive role in shaping the future of the EU. He argued that the treaty would push Ireland to the sidelines of Europe. The treaty would remove a significant number of member-state vetoes on highly sensitive policy areas such as international trade.
