Des Dalton, Vice President Republican Sinn Féin
Austrian Social Forum, St. Peter/Au (Austria), October 25th, 2008
Last June the Irish people clearly and unequivocally said no to a power grab by the EU political elite with their rejection of the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution (Lisbon is 96% the same document). A clear marker was laid down to the Dublin and Brussels political establishments. The Irish people said no to the construction of an EU super state. People are not prepared to give over more power to an institution which they do not elect and which is not accountable to them. Three times in three years the people of three states have now said no to a militarised and undemocratic superstate. The defeat of Lisbon in Ireland was not only a victory for the Irish people but also for the people of France and Holland whose vote was ignored by their governments and a victory for the people of the rest of the EU member states denied their right to vote.
The reaction of the political establishments both in Dublin and Brussels to the rejection of Lisbon was to ignore the democratic vote of the Irish people. Instead they have engaged in a campaign of bullying and falsehood aimed at forcing the Irish people to vote a second time. In this the Dublin administration have been willing collaborators. Even before all of the votes had been counted the President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso following a telephone conversation with the leader of the Dublin administration Brian Cowen said that the ratification process for Lisbon would continue in the rest of the EU.
Off course this ratification process could have been halted by a simple declaration by the 26-County administration that the vote of the Irish people must be respected and will not be overturned by a second referendum. Rather than defending the Irish people’s democratic decision the Dublin administration have instead lined up with the EU political establishment with the intention of bringing about a 26/1 situation by the end of the year.
In the months since the referendum the EU political establishment have lined up to pour scorn on the vote of the Irish people – or that section of the Irish people allowed to vote on the Lisbon Treaty as the people of the Six Counties were denied a vote because of British occupation. The logic of the position taken by the French and German governments in particular and the EU Commission is that the Irish people do not have a right to say no to the creation of an EU superstate and that the much talked about right of veto does not exist in reality within the EU. This of course gives the lie to the notion that the EU project is in any way democratic or accountable to the citizens of the various states. During his visit to Dublin in July French President Nicolas Sarkozy was left in no doubt as to the scale of opposition to Lisbon by the size of the protests which greeted his visit. Despite this during the EU summit on October 16 Sarkozy warned that if the Dublin administration did not bring proposals for a second referendum to the December summit he would propose his own; “No doubt I shall have to visit Ireland again” he said. The answer of the Irish people will still be the same Mr Sarkozy.
Attempts were made by the Dublin political establishment during the referendum campaign to misrepresent the position of those who opposed Lisbon. Opposition to Lisbon came from across the political spectrum; the major group on the right was Libertas whose opposition to Lisbon was based on a right-wing or neo-liberal economic agenda. Opposition to the harmonisation of corporation tax rates within the EU, protecting the low rate of corporation tax enjoyed by multi-national companies within the 26-County state was central to their opposition to Lisbon. However in the various polls conducted into the reasons people had for voting no, the issue of corporation tax was cited by only a minority. The issue of neutrality, erosion of national identity and democracy along with issues such as trade union rights, were among the main reasons given for voting no. Despite the fact the arguments put forward by Libertas had only a peripheral influence on the outcome of the referendum the establishment and the mainstream media chose portray them as leading the opposition to Lisbon. Ignoring the reality that a variety of political and social groups such as trade unions, anti-war, anti-globalisation community and social activists were at the heart of the campaign for a no vote. The Dublin administration attempted to taint all who opposed Lisbon as being motivated by issues such as immigration, racism and xenophobia despite the fact that these issues barely featured as being among the reason for a no vote in any of the polls conducted including a study commissioned by the Dublin administration themselves.
Since 1972 Republican Sinn Féin has opposed Ireland’s involvement in the EEC/EU project, viewing it as fundamentally undemocratic. As a project it was sold to the Irish people as providing “markets in Europe and jobs at home” the reality was the destruction of the Irish fishing community and the decimation of Irish agriculture, forcing thousands of families off the land. As Irish Republicans we wish to see the maximum decentralisation of political and economic power and decision making to national, regional and community level, rather than its centralisation by a powerful political elite. (Quote EIRE NUA) As a nation which continues to suffer British occupation and the enforced partition of our nation we oppose equally British imperialism and the new imperialism of the EU.
Republican Sinn Féin campaigned for a No Vote on three principal grounds:
Sovereignty: The Lisbon Treaty lays the basis for the creation of a European super state. Already 80% of 26-County domestic law is subservient to EU laws and directives. Under the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution the power of the unelected Commission would be further increased whilst the 26-County state for five years out of 15 will have no representative on the EU Commission. This means commissioner. Power and decision-making would under the qualified majority rule be vested in the hands of the big states such as Britain, France, Germany and Italy. This is because population size would become the key influence in making EU laws.
It also introduces a clause which gives the EU Council of Ministers the right to extend its powers. This can allow for the removal of a national veto in all areas with the exception of defence. This will also remove the requirement for any further extension of EU power to be voted on by the Irish people in referenda. The Lisbon Treaty is in reality the EU Constitution under another name.
Its purpose is to give the EU the status of a supranational federal state or ‘legal personality’ allowing it in the future to negotiate and ratify internationally binding agreements in crucial areas such as foreign policy and justice. By ratifying the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution the member states would be allowing the EU to seek representation at the UN as an entity in its own right claiming to itself the authority to speak for the various states including the 26 Counties.
Neutrality: The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution paves the way for the creation of an EU army. This process was begun with the Nice Treaty which formally established EU military staffs and the setting up of EU ‘Battle groups’ which can operate 2,500 miles outside the borders of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution accelerates this setting out in Article 28 B the military role envisaged for the EU superstate. This includes: “joint disarmament operations, tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peace-making and post-conflict stabilisation.” The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution will militarise the EU even further, committing the 26-County State to a ‘mutual – defence’ commitment and removing the need for a referendum in the future on any new commitments to EU defence.
It goes on to state that all of these tasks may involve “supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their territories”.
Whilst health services such as Cancer care in the 26 Counties face huge cuts in essential funding, provision is being made in the Lisbon Treaty for increased military spending.
The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution also provides for the creation of what would be an EU Foreign Minister and a European Diplomatic corps. This gives the EU a distinct presence on the world stage giving it both a military and political character. The presence of 26-County troops in Chad, supporting a French colonial proxy war with China – the regime in neighbouring Sudan is being propped up by China - over oil reserves, highlights the nature of the military “tasks” that the 26-County state would be expected to perform. Almost 100 years after the First World War, is yet another generation of Irish people to be sacrificed on foreign battlefields in the interests of European capitalism and imperialism?
Democracy: The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution represents an attack on both political and economic democracy. Public services such as water, (the current water rates levied on schools is an example of EU imposed policy) electricity supply, waste disposal, health care, the provision of social housing and education, postal services, public transport, are some of the vital areas which are categorised as “services of general economic interest” by the EU. This means states cannot block the privatisation of such services. The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution accelerates this policy.
Under the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution the Thatcherite neo-liberal model of unbridled capitalism will dictate the economic and social policy of states, exposing the most vulnerable in society. This leads to a society where the needs of the ‘market’ are placed over all others, including the right to a job and a decent wage, where the best public services only go to those who can pay the most.
Already within the EU Trade Union rights have seldom faced a greater threat, the recent ‘Laval ruling’ of the European Court of Justice set the “free movement of goods and services” as superior to the right of workers to strike. Again the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution will further this agenda, placing competition above the rights of working people.
Opposing the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution people said no to the creation of an undemocratic superstate, increased militarisation, the erosion of neutrality, the privatisation of public services and unfettered capitalism.
Our vision is that of James Connolly we wish to play our part as a free and independent nation in the construction of a world community of free nations, based on the principles of political, social and economic justice and human rights.
The reaction of the political establishments both in Dublin and Brussels to the rejection of Lisbon was to ignore the democratic vote of the Irish people. Instead they have engaged in a campaign of bullying and falsehood aimed at forcing the Irish people to vote a second time. In this the Dublin administration have been willing collaborators. Even before all of the votes had been counted the President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso following a telephone conversation with the leader of the Dublin administration Brian Cowen said that the ratification process for Lisbon would continue in the rest of the EU.
Off course this ratification process could have been halted by a simple declaration by the 26-County administration that the vote of the Irish people must be respected and will not be overturned by a second referendum. Rather than defending the Irish people’s democratic decision the Dublin administration have instead lined up with the EU political establishment with the intention of bringing about a 26/1 situation by the end of the year.
In the months since the referendum the EU political establishment have lined up to pour scorn on the vote of the Irish people – or that section of the Irish people allowed to vote on the Lisbon Treaty as the people of the Six Counties were denied a vote because of British occupation. The logic of the position taken by the French and German governments in particular and the EU Commission is that the Irish people do not have a right to say no to the creation of an EU superstate and that the much talked about right of veto does not exist in reality within the EU. This of course gives the lie to the notion that the EU project is in any way democratic or accountable to the citizens of the various states. During his visit to Dublin in July French President Nicolas Sarkozy was left in no doubt as to the scale of opposition to Lisbon by the size of the protests which greeted his visit. Despite this during the EU summit on October 16 Sarkozy warned that if the Dublin administration did not bring proposals for a second referendum to the December summit he would propose his own; “No doubt I shall have to visit Ireland again” he said. The answer of the Irish people will still be the same Mr Sarkozy.
Attempts were made by the Dublin political establishment during the referendum campaign to misrepresent the position of those who opposed Lisbon. Opposition to Lisbon came from across the political spectrum; the major group on the right was Libertas whose opposition to Lisbon was based on a right-wing or neo-liberal economic agenda. Opposition to the harmonisation of corporation tax rates within the EU, protecting the low rate of corporation tax enjoyed by multi-national companies within the 26-County state was central to their opposition to Lisbon. However in the various polls conducted into the reasons people had for voting no, the issue of corporation tax was cited by only a minority. The issue of neutrality, erosion of national identity and democracy along with issues such as trade union rights, were among the main reasons given for voting no. Despite the fact the arguments put forward by Libertas had only a peripheral influence on the outcome of the referendum the establishment and the mainstream media chose portray them as leading the opposition to Lisbon. Ignoring the reality that a variety of political and social groups such as trade unions, anti-war, anti-globalisation community and social activists were at the heart of the campaign for a no vote. The Dublin administration attempted to taint all who opposed Lisbon as being motivated by issues such as immigration, racism and xenophobia despite the fact that these issues barely featured as being among the reason for a no vote in any of the polls conducted including a study commissioned by the Dublin administration themselves.
Since 1972 Republican Sinn Féin has opposed Ireland’s involvement in the EEC/EU project, viewing it as fundamentally undemocratic. As a project it was sold to the Irish people as providing “markets in Europe and jobs at home” the reality was the destruction of the Irish fishing community and the decimation of Irish agriculture, forcing thousands of families off the land. As Irish Republicans we wish to see the maximum decentralisation of political and economic power and decision making to national, regional and community level, rather than its centralisation by a powerful political elite. (Quote EIRE NUA) As a nation which continues to suffer British occupation and the enforced partition of our nation we oppose equally British imperialism and the new imperialism of the EU.
Republican Sinn Féin campaigned for a No Vote on three principal grounds:
Sovereignty: The Lisbon Treaty lays the basis for the creation of a European super state. Already 80% of 26-County domestic law is subservient to EU laws and directives. Under the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution the power of the unelected Commission would be further increased whilst the 26-County state for five years out of 15 will have no representative on the EU Commission. This means commissioner. Power and decision-making would under the qualified majority rule be vested in the hands of the big states such as Britain, France, Germany and Italy. This is because population size would become the key influence in making EU laws.
It also introduces a clause which gives the EU Council of Ministers the right to extend its powers. This can allow for the removal of a national veto in all areas with the exception of defence. This will also remove the requirement for any further extension of EU power to be voted on by the Irish people in referenda. The Lisbon Treaty is in reality the EU Constitution under another name.
Its purpose is to give the EU the status of a supranational federal state or ‘legal personality’ allowing it in the future to negotiate and ratify internationally binding agreements in crucial areas such as foreign policy and justice. By ratifying the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution the member states would be allowing the EU to seek representation at the UN as an entity in its own right claiming to itself the authority to speak for the various states including the 26 Counties.
Neutrality: The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution paves the way for the creation of an EU army. This process was begun with the Nice Treaty which formally established EU military staffs and the setting up of EU ‘Battle groups’ which can operate 2,500 miles outside the borders of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution accelerates this setting out in Article 28 B the military role envisaged for the EU superstate. This includes: “joint disarmament operations, tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peace-making and post-conflict stabilisation.” The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution will militarise the EU even further, committing the 26-County State to a ‘mutual – defence’ commitment and removing the need for a referendum in the future on any new commitments to EU defence.
It goes on to state that all of these tasks may involve “supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their territories”.
Whilst health services such as Cancer care in the 26 Counties face huge cuts in essential funding, provision is being made in the Lisbon Treaty for increased military spending.
The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution also provides for the creation of what would be an EU Foreign Minister and a European Diplomatic corps. This gives the EU a distinct presence on the world stage giving it both a military and political character. The presence of 26-County troops in Chad, supporting a French colonial proxy war with China – the regime in neighbouring Sudan is being propped up by China - over oil reserves, highlights the nature of the military “tasks” that the 26-County state would be expected to perform. Almost 100 years after the First World War, is yet another generation of Irish people to be sacrificed on foreign battlefields in the interests of European capitalism and imperialism?
Democracy: The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution represents an attack on both political and economic democracy. Public services such as water, (the current water rates levied on schools is an example of EU imposed policy) electricity supply, waste disposal, health care, the provision of social housing and education, postal services, public transport, are some of the vital areas which are categorised as “services of general economic interest” by the EU. This means states cannot block the privatisation of such services. The Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution accelerates this policy.
Under the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution the Thatcherite neo-liberal model of unbridled capitalism will dictate the economic and social policy of states, exposing the most vulnerable in society. This leads to a society where the needs of the ‘market’ are placed over all others, including the right to a job and a decent wage, where the best public services only go to those who can pay the most.
Already within the EU Trade Union rights have seldom faced a greater threat, the recent ‘Laval ruling’ of the European Court of Justice set the “free movement of goods and services” as superior to the right of workers to strike. Again the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution will further this agenda, placing competition above the rights of working people.
Opposing the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution people said no to the creation of an undemocratic superstate, increased militarisation, the erosion of neutrality, the privatisation of public services and unfettered capitalism.
Our vision is that of James Connolly we wish to play our part as a free and independent nation in the construction of a world community of free nations, based on the principles of political, social and economic justice and human rights.
