Madam, - One of the arguments against the Lisbon Treaty is that it undermines our neutrality by creating a common European foreign, security and defence policy.
This argument is based on the myth that Irish people support neutrality, and oppose any form of military co-operation with Europe. Every six months, the EU conducts a survey called Eurobarometer, in which citizens from every member-state are asked a series of questions about the EU. Most of the questions are asked repeatedly, allowing for trends to be seen over several years.
In regard to a common European foreign and defence policy, the trend clearly shows that nearly two-thirds of Irish people support a common European foreign policy; over half support a common European defence policy; and nearly a third want the EU to make defence decisions.
Yet Ireland's political and media environment is hostile to discussions on military co-operation. Imagine the level of support that could be attained in a more friendly environment. Clearly, scaremongering about threats to neutrality is not going to help the anti-Lisbon cause.
It is such a shame that no political party is brave enough to stick its neck out and stand up for this untapped electoral segment that wants closer military co-operation with our European friends.
- Yours, etc,
JASON FITZHARRIS, Rivervalley, Swords, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Although a referendum date has not been fixed, the debate on the Lisbon Treaty and coverage in The Irish Timeshas been substantial. Unfortunately that coverage has not been balanced to date.
I am writing specifically in relation to your report of the launch of the Sinn Féin campaign against the Lisbon Treaty ( The Irish Times, February 6th), which fails to register the fact that we launched a significant document on the treaty setting out the substantive political arguments against it. This is in marked contrast to the very substantial coverage afforded the publication of the National Forum on Europe's guide to the Lisbon Treaty ( The Irish Times, February 1st).
The Sinn Féin document will be circulated by the National Forum on Europe as an alternative view on the treaty, in recognition of the need for balance in the debate and in response to our dissatisfaction with its document.
Balance and objectivity are crucial in the reporting of the Lisbon Treaty campaign, before and after the formal announcement of a referendum date.
- Is mise,
MARY LOU McDONALD MEP, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Madam, - Your edition of February 1st reported on Blair Horan speaking at the National Forum on Europe and making it clear that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has demanded concessions from the Government on EU legislation governing the hiring of temporary workers before it will back calls for a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
It might appear that the European Union is in some way responsible for the serious problem being experienced by Ictu. Not so. The EU has a long tradition of promoting rights in the workplace - including the right to equal pay for men and women, parental leave and limits on working time, all of which have benefited Irish employees.
To protect temporary workers recruited through recruitment agencies in member-states the EU drew up a draft directive in 2002 providing for such employees to qualify for rates of pay and conditions enjoyed by domestic employees after six weeks of temporary employment in a member-state.
Britain and Ireland are two of the only three countries currently objecting to the directive and preventing it from being transposed into the domestic legislation of each member-state.
Since 2002 recruitment agencies have mushroomed, placing tens of thousands of temporary workers in the Irish market. In the absence of the EU Temporary Agency Workers' Directive, these workers are denied the benefits of Irish employment legislation.
They are invariably paid much less than the going rate for the job. Their unregulated situation leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.
At the same time, this artificially created pool of cheap labour undermines the position of Irish workers and facilitates the "race to the bottom" in terms of pay and conditions of employment.
It is the EU which is seeking to regulate the employment conditions of the temporary agency workers. It is the Irish Government which has shamefully opposed these laudable efforts by the EU.
Incidentally, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the article on Social Partnership which are central to the Lisbon Reform Treaty will make it far more difficult for Fianna Fáil, the Greens and the PDs to maintain such an inequitable system into the future.
Once the Lisbon Reform Treaty is in place, it will not be possible for the Taoiseach to project himself as the champion of social partnership at home while behaving like a neo-liberal in Europe.
- Yours, etc,
JOE COSTELLO TD, Labour Party Spokesperson on European Affairs, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.