Athy Chamber

Following the horrors of the 2nd World War, six of the European nations most dramatically affected by the horrors of the war decided to come together to ascertain ways to avoid the European States from becoming involved in similar horrors and to ascertain ways how, by all coming together for the benefit of all, they could encourage the economic development of the continent. Prior to their coming together, <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> became involved in regular disastrous conflicts but since then the continent has avoided European wide conflicts and has become a significant world economic market.

Initially the European Coal and Steel Community was formed and in later years other countries of the European continent joined these initial six countries for a common approach to avoiding wholesale destruction and foster economic development. Ireland joined to European Economic Community (E.E.C.) in 1973 and other countries have joined since and now the evolving Union numbers 27 members. Due to the ongoing development of the European Community and increasing numbers of countries wishing to be members, there is an obvious need to regularly revise and combine the rules joining the Community, hence the Lisbon Treaty.

With the recent enlargement of the Community there is an obvious necessity to revise the Treaty governing the countries and thus we have the Lisbon Treaty which endeavours to coordinate the needs and requirement of the 27 countries and of the European Union. People lament the hundreds of pages in the Treaty but surely seeking to coordinate 27 states requires detailed documentation.

The E.E.C. which is now known as the European Union has been good for Ireland. When we joined in 1973 we were somewhat impoverished and but following our membership we are somewhat prosperous. No Agreement or Treaty is wholly perfect but on balance the European Community and European Union has been more rather than less beneficial to Ireland and frankly no Agreement, Union or Club can survive if member (s) of any particular Union seek to be ana la carte member. We must take promote the positives and lessen the negatives, and trust our Government and our directly elected Members of the European Parliament, to promote and protect our interests.

The Lisbon Treaty if passed will ensure that each member state, including Ireland, retains a Commissioner but if the Lisbon Treaty is not passed then the number of Commissioners will be reduced under the Nice Treaty. The Council of Ministers, whereby each member state has a minister sit on each Council of the particular area / ministry, will continue in its present format under the Lisbon Treaty. More decisions will be made by the Council of Ministers in co-operation with the European Parliament as a result of the Lisbon Treaty. A new post of President of the European Council, elected by qualified majority of the European Council members, will chair and co-ordinate the European Council's work. Each member Government is elected by its country's electorate and each country's Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by the country's electorate thereby protecting democracy. Further areas of Co-decision between the European Council and European Parliament are included under the Lisbon Treaty. The Council of Ministers and European Parliament will have joint decision making powers over the entire EU Budget under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty.

Many misleading comments have been made by people opposed to the Lisbon Treaty suggesting that Irish laws will be affected by the Lisbon Treaty. There are no changes proposed in relation to abortion or family rights and Ireland will retain exclusive rights to make its own laws regarding certain fields, including that of education. The Lisbon Treaty, if passed, will give legal status to the Charter of Fundamental Rights which protects civil, political, social and economic rights.

Ireland's policies on direct taxation will not be changed unless there is UNANIMOUS agreement by the Council of Ministers. Ireland's military neutrality will not be changed by the Lisbon Treaty. We must come to the aid of our neighbour's in accordance with the UN Charter but that does not mean our neutrality will be affected should the Lisbon Treaty be ratified. Ireland has a triple lock procedure which must be considered before we become involved in any military conflict. Workers Rights and Social Services will not be adversely affected by the passing of the Lisbon Treaty. Suggestions that the minimum wage will be reduced, under the Lisbon Treaty, is ratified, is simply not true. Irish Socialist MEP, Joe Higgins has confirmed that this is a scare tactic and has no basis.

Voting Yes ensures that Ireland remains a central member of the European Union, we retain control over our future and retain our influence in the Union. If we vote NO our influence will be dissipated and how can we ask for financial assistance from the European Union and European Central Bank to aid our financial recovery from our current economic difficulties. Our current proposals for economic revival through the NAMA plan is supported by the European Central Bank, which is backing the bonds being paid to the Irish Banks presently under serious financial pressure. How can we ask the European Central Bank to support our Government in its attempts to repair the economy if we give reject the ongoing development, through the Lisbon Treaty, of the European Union ?

Being a full member of the Union ensures our attractiveness to American / Asian states outside the Union, who seek to access the European markets. Our Rural community, Childcare and Infrastructure services have benefited hugely from membership of the European Union and the European Social Fund has invested in our people through their youth programmes, adult education, and employment schemes.

Voting Yes secures an Irish Commissioner, it will assist our economic recovery, make the EU more democratic, and clamps down of cross border crime.

The Lisbon Treaty ensures that we retain a Commissioner in the European Commission, however under the existing Nice Treaty we are due to lose a Commissioner. The Lisbon Treaty will see our country retain a government minister in each Council of Ministers, which will see more decisions made in co-operation with the European Parliament.

People have lamented the 'democratic deficit' but the Lisbon Treaty decreases the deficit and improves European democracy. The European Treaty has been good for Ireland and voting Yes continues our opportunities for further benefits.

Athy Chamber encourages our electorate to vote Yes on next Friday the 2nd October, 2009.

Yours sincerely,

Paul A. Cunningham,

President,

Athy Chamber,

president@athychamber.ie