Sir, - I find it surprising that none of the commentators have referred to the recent vote in the European Parliament which was highly critical of the Nice Treaty and was agreed with by virtually all our MEPs from all parties. At the time of the negotiations in Nice it was clear that there was no agreement but that they were determined to get a positive vote just the same. It does not create confidence that the best decisions on Europe are being made.
I suspect that many No voters, although agreeing with enlargement, feel that there is an increasing democratic deficit which could be readily addressed by giving the European Parliament the legislative powers it lacks at present. Instead, power is being consolidated in the hands of the president, the Council of Ministers and the commissioners.
The individual countries of Europe are democracies, but the government system of Europe is moving away rather than towards democracy.
It appears that Eamon O Cuiv thinks the same and is probably closer to the people than the majority of the TDs. Yours, etc.,
Patrick Davey, Dublin Road, Shankill, Co Dublin.