85% vote NO on E.U. Treaty

national | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis Friday January 11, 2008 14:24 by paul o toole

Newstalk Radio with Declan Carthy

EU

Late last night Newstalk 106 with host Declan Carthy discussed the new Eu Treaty which Ireland will vote on in the comming months wether to accept or not. On the pannel were Dick Roche, FF spokesman on Europe; Dierdre De Burka from the greens, both pushing for a yes vote. Against was a chap from 'liberitas?', and an impartial columnist.
What was interesting was that most of the callers were voting against the treaty based on the distrust of both FF and the Greens and not on any issues. One caller pointed out that there hasnt been any publication outlining the issues which to that person was evidence enough not to vote for this new EU constitution.
Mr. Roche did concede that there would be some loss of Soverigenty only after denying there wouldnt, but it would be a worthwhile exchange.
De Burka explained her subtle U turn on Green policy as something that would seem to be the perogative of opposition but once in power that it is obvious that you would follow government lines, a caller pointed out that this mounts to a loss of trust if the Greens went from looking for a no, to looking for a yes vote on this 'Lisbon Treaty', or EU constitution or Neice three, whatever you want to call it.
Either way, this new Treaty will empower delegates form Europe to decide matters here, even though they havent been elected here, something like the G-8. Un accountable, unelected and highly suspicious.
85% against/15% for...thats a good starting place.