OPINIONWe must continue to be active in this next, necessary phase for the EU - the Lisbon Treaty, writes Dick Roche
I WAS surprised and disappointed by the manner in which Susan George misrepresented both the reform treaty and the European Union (April 11th). It was noteworthy that she outlined the perfect sort of union we all want to see without prescribing a better way to bring this about.
In her attempt to portray the Lisbon Treaty as a neoliberal charter, George wrote that it contains 25 mentions of "competition and 63 mentions of market". In fact, there are only seven references to competition, including one to sports competitions, and fewer than 30 references to market, including agricultural markets. I state this not to score a petty point but merely to highlight to readers the basic level of inaccuracy involved.
George writes that the treaty is too complex. The treaty is detailed, but this reflects the reality of an agreement between 27 sovereign nations which respects their different interests, histories and cultures. It is no more complex than previous EU treaties, all of which have been ratified by referendum here and have benefited us enormously.
A lot of detail and a degree of complexity is a small price to pay for allowing a continent of 500 million people to build on the co-operation that has existed since the end of the second World War.I very much agree with George that Europe can lead the way toward a sustainable future. The only way to do so is to engage with the wider world. The treaty will help in this regard.
Europe has spent the last five decades putting its own house in order. Ireland has benefited hugely from participation in this extended European journey from the shadow of war to a settled, prosperous peace. For the next decade Europe must look outwards if we are to nurture the advantages we now enjoy.
Climate change, energy supply, migration and international crime are just some of the challenges we face. The treaty will put us in better shape to address these challenges.
George suggests that full employment is not addressed in the treaty. However, for the first time, the union under the treaty will have "full employment" as an overarching aim. Also, Article 2.17 speaks of the "promotion of a high level of employment". Some might say these are only words. They might prefer to rely on the hard evidence that, since Ireland joined the EU in 1973, employment in Ireland has doubled from one to two million.
The EU has always combined a commitment to a vibrant internal market, with a strong attachment to the pursuit of social justice and employment. The social and cohesion funds are two examples of this. Ireland can testify to the positive impact of both.
The argument put forward by George that the common foreign and security policy places Europe firmly under the tutelage of Nato is wrong. What's more, it is a tested and failed argument of those who oppose the union and who try to play on fears. The EU recognises the tradition of military neutrality of Ireland and other member states. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the union's security and defence policy will continue to be decided unanimously by the member states. There is no proposal for an EU common defence, in which, in any event, Ireland is constitutionally debarred from participating.
The treaty maintains the balance between the main EU institutions. Contrary to George's view, the European Commission is not "all-powerful". It is the two institutions made up of elected representatives - the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament - which decide the laws of the union, not the commission. The union's democratic structures are also strengthened by the treaty. Meetings of the Council of Ministers will be broadcast when legislation is being adopted. For the first time, national parliaments will have the power to challenge commission proposals. For the first time also, the people of Europe will be able to petition the commission to make proposals.
As we face into the referendum campaign, the Government looks forward to debate on the treaty. It is important, however, to avoid demonising the union. The union has helped to make Ireland and Europe a better place. Our EU membership has never been a one-way street. Aside from the advantages we have derived, Ireland has always played a significant role in the union, helping to shape policies. It is vital that we continue making a contribution. The treaty is the next, necessary phase in the union's development. Its ratification will represent a vote of confidence in Ireland's future as a distinctive and constructive European nation.
Dick Roche is Minister of State for European Affairs