Madam, - I take great amusement from seeing people work themselves into a state (no pun intended) over the EU Constitution and what it means for us. I couldn't care less whether legislation is decided in Dublin or Brussels (or London for that matter).
We were ruled by the Brits for ages and they exploited us. We gained our independence and set up our own crony system to rule and exploit us; and now, it seems, we will be ruled by Brussels, where I presume those dastardly bureaucrats will try to exploit us. The only thing that concerns me is which of these systems is the most accountable.
I don't recall the Brits ever being held accountable for what they did. I certainly don't recall any of our own great and good of any persuasion ever taking responsibility for their misdeeds. Yet I see a proposed EU Commissioner having to withdraw his nomination, not because he is a conservative Catholic, but because he failed to prove he was capable of running a secular home affairs administration without letting his personal and private religious beliefs interfere with his judgment. I also recall that on a previous occasion the entire European Commission were held to account and made to resign for their misdeeds.
I don't for a minute think the EU is perfect, but despite its faults I cannot wait for the day when even more power is taken away from our gombeen politicians and passed to those brave people in Brussels who have succeeded were we have failed miserably in holding politicians to account. - Yours, etc.,
DESMOND FITZGERALD, Havannah Street, London E14.
Madam, - Finian McGrath, TD claims (November 10th) that in my letter of November 3rd I did not address the article in the European Constitution which states the primacy of Union law. This issue was, in fact the main subject of my letter. As I said, and as other correspondents have also made clear, this principle is long-established and dates back to well before we joined the Union. Indeed, the Intergovernmental Conference which agreed the European Constitution issued a declaration confirming that the relevant article (1-6, not 1-10) reflects existing case law.
Equally, since 1972 this principle has been reflected in Bunreacht na hÉireann, as successively amended by the Irish people.
The net point is very simple. As the European Constitution makes clear, the Union only has the powers the member-states have unanimously decided to give it - and in our case that decision ultimately rests with the people through referendums. EU laws in those defined areas can only be made through agreed decision-making procedures. Once those laws have been made, however, all member-states are legally bound to implement them fully and fairly. This is monitored by the Commission, with the ultimate possibility of recourse to the European Court of Justice.
Clearly it has to have the final say. Otherwise there would be a risk of clashing national interpretations, leading to uncertainty and conflict between the member-states, with dire consequences for the single market and other vital aspects of the Union. But, to repeat, the Commission and the Court have a role only in those matters where the member-states have agreed to give them a role.
I agree with Mr McGrath that the people have a right to the facts about the European Constitution and to fair and balanced coverage of the issues. The Government is committed to the fullest possible national debate. However, it is not "political snobbery" to insist that critics of the European Constitution get their facts right too. - Yours, etc.,
NOEL TREACY, TD, Minister for European Affairs, Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin 2.