Madam, - If proof were needed of the folly of proceeding with a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty it was provided in recent days.
A group of middle-class conspiracy theorists attacked an MEP over a meaningless vote in the EU Parliament, and 10,000 farmers indicated their intention to vote No over WTO negotiations which have nothing to do with the treaty and over which the EU has no direct control.
We amend our Constitution to facilitate the existence of legislation that would otherwise be unconstitutional. The need to amend the Constitution in respect of the Lisbon Treaty should arise only if some part of that treaty is at odds with our Constitution; but to date, no explanation has been provided as to how this need arises.
If no specific need can be identified, the presumption must be made that the Government is seeking to future-proof the Constitution in anticipation of some hypothetical constitutional issue, or that the Government is engaging in a grand act of hubris in the backwash of Bertie Ahern's seemingly successful adventures of European diplomacy.
Neither is a valid reason to amend the Constitution, and in terms of the constitutional necessity, it is noteworthy that Ireland is the only State in the EU which will ratify the Treaty by general plebiscite.
Less than 12 months ago, the people of Ireland elected a parliament of 166 TDs who have the constitutional power to ratify this Treaty. A majority of those TDs would appear to be in favour of ratification, and were so prior to the last general election.
In less than five years' time, we will elect a new parliament. If at that point, the decision of the existing parliament on the treaty is unpopular, we can change its composition and reverse whatever decision was taken.
Surely this represents a more democratic and sensible course of action, rather than engaging in a referendum which will have little to do with the treaty or its implications for life in Ireland, and which is descending into farce at an alarming rate. - Yours, etc,
GARRETH McDAID, Drumleague, Leitrim Village, Co Leitrim.