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Ireland can hold new vote on EU treaty

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Published Date: 28 November 2008
By Jonathan Saul
IRELAND can legally hold a second referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, an Irish parliamentary committee report said yesterday.
The sub-committee was set up after Irish voters said "No" in a June referendum on the treaty of reforms which are aimed at streamlining the bloc's decision-making, but must be ratified by all 27 member states before it can take effect.

Treaty backers say the Irish rejection paralysed the bloc at a time when it needs rapid reform after taking in new members from the former communist east. They want Ireland to come up with a solution to the impasse by a summit on December 11-12.

"No legal obstacle appears to exist to having a referendum, either on precisely the same issue as that dealt with on 12 June or some variation thereof," the cross-party sub-committee on Ireland's future in the EU said.

Micheál Martin, the foreign minister, welcomed the findings.

"The report confirms that Ireland's place is at the heart of the European Union," he said in a statement.



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  • Last Updated: 27 November 2008 10:12 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Guga II,

Rockall 28/11/2008 05:18:22
Isn't it just a simple case of pure and utter arrogance when a government thinks it can ignore the wishes of the people because "they know better".

Just as it is utter arrogance to promise a referendum on that treaty, then renege on the promise because the people are liable to give the "wrong" answer.
2

Otis Boone,

Sacramento 28/11/2008 08:52:16
#1

That's the problem with government and other organizations - they seem to forget that they work for the people and not the other way around.

Seems Ireland needs to have a vote to remind Oirectas that it only governs by the consent of the governed.

Although, I do imagine that if Scottish Independence fails in a referendum, the SNP will be like the gays and lesbians here in California and not take No for an answer.
3

Finnking,

Lempäälä 28/11/2008 09:15:49
"Keep voting until you get it right!" seems to be how 'democracy' works.

Guga/Otis

The thinking is that the people had not been suitably propagandised by the time of the last election. Now, with all the financial chaos and the slow drip-drip of pro EU treaty (Read: Business charter For Exploitation Masquerading as A Nice Thing), now the time is ripe for the herd to be trusted to give the result the controllers desire is their desire to maintain the illusion of democracy.

All good stuff!
4

Griffe,

28/11/2008 15:27:02
This makes a complete farce of the EU and a referendum
5

Carolyn 1,

28/11/2008 18:42:02
Good for Ireland to have the wits to stay out of the grab of the recreated Habsburg Empire,.. I wonder if a permanent Monarchy will be announced in the near future, after they 'endure' the Czech rotation and could never bear such a humiliation again...
The EU in my opinion, is the 21st century attempt to make more countries 'European' and elite and without much tolerance for populist diversity

I like Ireland the way it is- Stay Irish and be independent of the snobs, you don't need the EU

@1 Guga II
I couldn't agree more, 'politicians' everywhere are self-serving and deaf to the will of people.
6

drahcir,

pittsburgh, pa, usa 28/11/2008 21:33:14
keep rejecting it ireland !!!! they will force it upon you one way or another !!! some people in the USA still think they have constitutional rights !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm_xX1Ur43I

goldieshouse.piczo.com
7

p courtney,

Cork Ireland 28/11/2008 23:15:41
Will they ever stop, a No is a No go back to the drawing board. Democracy does not exist in the EU its a place for the business elite and brown envelopes. They dont care about the people, or whats right. All they want is control and slaves for the tax system. Even now they are trying to scare people into voting yes due to this man made banking crisis, so what if we are alone in Europe. Europe needs Ireland more than Ireland needs the EU why else would they want a second vote. Give us back our punt and lets face it Ireland is the back door of Europe, how about a Russian navy base in Ireland we have the second biggest harbor in the world. A nice cash/energy reward for Ireland but our politicians are not in it for the people they are in it for a step up the ladder for them selfs within the EU regime.They are closing schools and hospitals in this country but still able to pay their way within the EU wake up please. Look after your own people first and do whatever it takes business is a cut throat business but they rather cut the throats of the Irish people. I will vote NO again and again
8

jarmon,

29/11/2008 21:54:05
It strikes me that the EU has a similar attitude toward Ireland like the english once had. One of control and using the resources and people for their own benefit.If i were a citizen of the emerald isle,i'd be voting no with one hand,while giving the EU the finger with the other one.

 

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