DICK HUMPHREYS,
Sir, - Your correspondent, Gavin Farrell, (August 12th), has touched on one highly relevant aspect of Nice that receives very little attention. That has been the transfer of decision-making from Dáil Éireann to Brussels.
Given the record of Government spending from 1965 to 1987, and again in recent years, I, like Mr. Farrell, welcome the financial restraints that Europe now imposes. The point that almost everyone misses however is that these politicians welcome this transfer of responsibility. It does not hit their pay-cheques and it happily relieves them of further responsibility in so many areas. This probably explains why they support Nice which relieves them of even more decision-making.
However, whether they admit it or not, they are, by following this process, paving the way towards transforming the EU into a political entity, rather than a voluntary federation of independent states that have chosen to pool some of their sovereignty.
This also explains why they do not publicise Article 29 of our Constitution, the time-bomb that was placed there back in 1972. It reads as follows, "No provision of this Constitution....prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the communities or institutions thereof, from having the force of law in the State." Simply translated, this means that a simple registered letter from any of Brussels's offices can override any Article of our Constitution.
In the absence of other national safeguards like the thirty of our veto powers, which Nice is now planning to abolish, this Article has the potential to make a complete mockery of our cherished Constitution. Our vote on Nice presents us with an opportunity to strike a balance in this matter.
We need to vote "no" to Nice to retain these vetos and to avoid some of the other more undesirable developments contained within that Treaty.
Mr. Prodi, and other top EU officials have confirmed that a "no" vote will not create a legal obstacle to EU enlargement, so Irish politicians should stop trying to load guilt on us for voting "no". They also are trying to scare us by saying that we will not be considered full members of the EU if we do vote "no". This did not stop France from saying "non" on many occasions.
We are, and will remain, full members whether we vote "yes" or "no", but a "no" vote will strengthen the position of all of the smaller states like our own within the EU. - Yours etc.,
DICK HUMPHREYS,
Mount Merrion,
Co. Dublin.
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A Chara, - Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD of Sinn Féin (August 12th) argues that the Nice Treaty will result in smaller states becoming "mere appendages to the larger nations as they set about building a militarised European superstate".
His dramatic assertion demands answers to a number of questions. I would invite him to respond in as clear and unambiguous a fashion as he has properly rejected the anti-immigrant arguments of his fellow anti-Nice campaigners, Justin Barrett and Anthony Coughlan.
Firstly, the Nice Treaty is about enlargement. Why would countries such as the Baltic Republics, Slovakia, Slovenia - all small nations like ourselves - wish to join the European Union if they were to become "mere appendages", particularly given their own respective histories?
Secondly, where in the Nice Treaty is the goal of a "militarised superstate" set out? References to the exact Articles in the Treaty would be appreciated.
Thirdly, what evidence is there that France, Germany, Britain, Italy or Spain, individually or collectively, have focused their energies on this goal?
Fourthly, where is the evidence that Ireland and other member states, including the non-aligned Swedes, Finns and Austrians are acquiescing in becoming "mere appendages"?
If those on the far right or far left who oppose the Nice Treaty wish to use dramatic statements about the development of the European Union, the very least they could do is to provide us with facts and evidence to back up their claims. As Sinn Féin seems to express a knowledge about militarisation, perhaps Mr Ó Snodaigh might deal with each of the four questions I have set out above. - Is mise,
Cllr. MALCOLM BYRNE (FF),
Cathaoirleach,
Gorey Town Council,
Co. Wexford.