Madam, - Sinn Féin has opposed all of the six European treaties since 1973. Its politicians' claims that they are pro-European are farcical.
In 1972, campaigning against Ireland joining the EEC, Sinn Féin opposed Ireland's accession on the grounds that "the objective of this treaty is a United States of Europe with a European army. Irish people will be compelled to fight wars the European powers decide to wage. Neutrality will go and compulsory military service for our youth will be introduced."
Opposing the Single European Act in 1987, Sinn Féin said it would "surrender power completely to the Nato-dominated EEC".
Opposing the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, Sinn Féin said it would represent "a death knell for Irish neutrality".
In 1998, Sinn Féin opposed the Amsterdam Treaty by saying that it was "the most significant step towards a military common defence in Europe. This treaty will ensure that the nuclear-armed Western European Union is being integrated into the European Union structures."
Opposing the Nice Treaty in 2001, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said it would "bring us closer into a European army and into Nato". Campaign against the EU Reform Treaty, he claims it will lead to a greater militarisation of the EU.
Every argument that Sinn Féin has put forward on this issue over the past 36 years has proved false and has been without foundation. Mr Adams should remember that Ireland cannot join a common European defence arrangement unless this is approved by a separate referendum of the Irish people.
Moreover, Irish troops cannot serve on peacekeeping missions abroad unless it is with the approval of Dáil Éireann, the Irish Government and under a specific United Nations resolution. The EU Reform Treaty does not diminish Irish neutrality one iota.
I think Mr Adams should stop trying to create hysteria about neutrality and explain why his party is so anti-Europe. - Yours, etc,
DES KELLY, Lucan, Co Dublin.
Madam, - I am pleased that my letter of February 1st has provoked a strong reaction. But I am disappointed that some of the responses have been disingenuous and aim to distract the debate from the real issues.
The role of presidency of the European Council is undertaken by the full cabinet of ministers of the member-state in question, currently Slovenia, with each government minister assuming the presidency in his/her relevant post, as your readers may remember from Ireland's successful presidency in 2004.
The Lisbon Treaty will see the election of the president of the European Council taking place by a qualified majority vote by the elected representatives of the council for a two-and-a-half year period, instead of the current system of rotation every six months, providing a more democratic and stable presidency.
Under the Lisbon Treaty, European institutions will be more democratic and more streamlined. This will enable us to implement the Lisbon agenda of achieving greater competitiveness in an increasingly turbulent world market. The treaty will ensure we continue to attract more jobs by lending stability to the EU and an ability to cope with future challenges. A more efficient EU will mean a more efficient Ireland.
Exports from Ireland to other EU states amounted to €46.9 billion between January and October 2007. Imports for the same period were €31.2 billion. As a small open economy, we have benefited greatly from being part of a wider union and a common currency. Adopting the Lisbon Treaty will protect the engine that drives social change - the economy. - Yours, etc,
CHRIS ANDREWS TD (Dublin South East), Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.