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Democrat - June-July 2009 (Number 114)

"‘Legal Guarantees’ on Lisbon Treaty an exercise in creative manipulation designed to mislead the public

Patricia McKenna - People's Movement of Ireland (16.6.09)

Former MEP and Chairperson of the People’s Movement, Patricia McKenna has accused the Government of engaging in a cynical exercise of political manipulation. Speaking on behalf of the People’s Movement, which successfully campaigned against ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in last year’s referendum, McKenna said “these so-called ‘Legal Guarantees’ on the Lisbon Treaty are nothing more than an exercise in creative manipulation designed to mislead the public. This fact was even recognised by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin who after EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg yesterday said, “The impetus from other member states is to be helpful, creative and try to resolve these issues … We are quietly confident and hopeful,”

“What the Minister really means is that Legal guarantees on the Lisbon Treaty are just a creative way of giving people a feeling of legal certainty which does not and cannot exist.” Said McKenna

The former MEP went on to say “This decision making procedure which the Government are currently participating in does not exist as a legal instrument of the summits. It was invented by the EU’s political elite as very creative way of giving people an illusion of a legal certainty, which does not exist. The so-called ”decision” changes absolutely nothing in the treaties. If it were to change even a single word, then it would have to go through new ratifications in all member states in order to be validated.”

“A  ”decision” in the summit is not a legally binding document that requires ratification by member states. A common “declaration” which may express the intentions of today’s politicians accompanies it, but it does not stop future politicians from meddling with these ”assurances”.

“Another example of the ‘creativity’ of this whole process is the fact that Ireland will have its own Irish declaration which will not be signed by any other member state. Such unilateral declarations cannot be accepted as legitimate political promises. If Ireland had been able to get other member states to agree to what is in our own Irish declaration then it would have been part of the joint declaration or the decision.” McKenna concluded.


Other pieces on the Lisbon II referendum in Ireland
Where now? Democracy or EU Dictatorship - Editorial
"Guarantees" for Lisbon II
Maastricht trick for Lisbon II?
Invalidity of "Guarantees" for Lisbon II

For more information see People's Movement website
Also for information and analysis National Platform of Ireland
Peace and Neutrality Alliance of Ireland - PANA