Madam, – Richard Greene (Opinion, February 2nd) writes about democracy and the iniquity of calling a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. He also gives us a flavour of what Cóir canvassers heard on the doorsteps. All of this is most interesting but it requires a little context.
Cóir is, of course, Youth Defence in a new guise but with the same modus operandi. Richard Greene's performance before the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU, on November 20th, was pure YD, accusing the TDs and Senators of engaging in treachery, shouting down the committee chairman and then walking out. Cóir/YD sees breaking up political meetings or public discussions on certain issues as democracy.
Another interesting facet of the Cóir/YD approach is its policy on the use of referendums. Mr Greene seems conveniently to forget that in 2001 a Youth Defence offshoot – the Mother and Child Campaign – ran a national leaflet and billboard campaign demanding yet another referendum on abortion. There was even talk of a strategy of picketing and disruptive protests to force a second – or was it a third? – referendum.
As for the doorsteps, the Cóir canvassers were very busy people, finding time to listen to complaints about EU regulations and interest rates while explaining, in the name of truth and democracy, that the Lisbon Treaty contained provision for conscription and for the legalisation of abortion, euthanasia, homosexual marriage, prostitution and hard drugs. And, of course, ending up with a quick prayer to St Benedict to save Ireland.
Mr Greene winds up his piece by stating that the European Council meeting last December offered only non-binding assuranceson abortion etc. The European Council Conclusions of December 12th, 2008 state, plainly, that the necessary legal guaranteeswill be given on taxation, neutrality and the right to life etc. Cóir complains of a democratic deficit in the EU while managing a notable shortfall in accuracy of quotation itself. – Yours, etc,