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“Treaty Changes Are Only Presentational”
Written by Libertas   
Tuesday, 03 July 2007
Writing in Saturday’s edition of The Irish Times (subscription required), former Irish Taoiseach, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald points out that “virtual incomprehensibility has now replaced simplicty as the key approach to European reform” and that the changes to the constitutional treaty now proposed “…are presentational changes that have no practical effect”. “They have simply been designed to to enable certain heads of government to sell their people the idea of ratification by parliamentary action rather than by referendum.” Dr. Fitzgerald also quotes current Irish premier, Bertie Ahern as having admitted at the end of the Brussels summit that “all the changes we made are for the worse…thankfully they haven’t changed any of the substance”. Nevertheless, Ahern left open the option for Ireland to exercise opt-outs from QMV decisions on justice issues, similar to those sought by Britain, on account of its common law system.

Meanwhile, as reported in today’s Daily Telegraph , Luxembourg’s premier Jean-Claude Junker said that he supports public debate on the new treaty…except in Britain. “I am astonished at those who are afraid of the people: one can always explain that what is in the interest of Europe is in the interests of our countries. “Britain is different” he said, “Of course there will be transfers of sovereignty. But would I be intelligent to draw the attention of public opinion to this fact?” The article also quotes the recent ICM/ Open Europe opinion poll which found that 86% of British voters want a referendum.
 
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