Madam, – Recent polls show that a lot of people have yet to make up their mind about Lisbon. Reading your Letters section, it would seem to me that there are two main issues worrying voters – first, the idea that nothing in the treaty has changed and second, the perception that it is undemocratic to have a second referendum.
I believe that the treaty we are being asked to vote on in October is a very different package to that which was put before us last June. A vote for Lisbon is now a vote for the retention of our commissioner. Had the treaty been ratified last year, we would only have been guaranteed a commissioner until 2014.
The legal guarantees secured on issues relating to the right to life, neutrality and tax have also changed the parameters of the treaty. In light of these developments, I feel it is reasonable to ask people to vote again on Lisbon. To borrow the words of John M Keynes: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Jamie Smyth says a Yes to Lisbon is essential for the good of our reputation and democracy as a whole; notwithstanding Mr Smyth’s non-allusion to the latter in making us vote again. Doesn’t Mr Smyth comprehend our reputation went down the tubes on saying No last time and is unlikely to be retrieved. While saying Yes this time would undoubtedly be received with pleasure, isn’t it more likely a Yes will be received with “about time”.
That does not secure us a good reputation but one of a nation synonymous with procrastination and suspicion — which finally made it through to the finish line.
Rather than be hailed a great nation for saying Yes, it is more likely we will be disregarded in areas of importance, for the alleged turmoil we have put the EU through. — Yours, etc,
Madam, – Mary Coughlan goes to great lengths to prove that various EU legislation has provided safe-guards for Irish workers (Comment, September 11th). Surely such policies should have been introduced by our own government?
If not, then what is the point for voting in our own elections never mind the upcoming referendum? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I am torn between voting Yes so that the country’s future might be secured by staying under the wing of Europe or voting No and in doing so also secure the country’s future by probably ensuring the removal of Fianna Fáil from power.
Which option offers the speediest solution to securing the country’s future? – Yours, etc,