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Cowen can get us a better deal

Written by Libertas
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Newly elected Taoiseach Brian Cowen would be given a strong mandate to improve Ireland's position if we rejected the Lisbon Treaty, Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley told an audience at a European Movement debate in Dublin this afternoon. Addressing employees at law firm Mason, Hayes and Curran, Ganley said that the Taoiseach would be able to take advantage of the huge pressure from the EU for the Treaty's ratification to demand a better deal. He said that specifically, Ireland needed a protocol in the Treaty on the issue of taxation, it needed to demand the right to a permanent commissioner, and it needed measures to strengthen its voting weight at the EU Council and ensure greater accountability to the citizens of Europe. He said that these were not "extreme demands" and that it was reasonable for the electorate to ask Mr. Cowen to achieve them: "There is huge concern amongst the electorate on the issue of taxation, and the issue of representation. Frankly, even those advocating a "yes" vote would rather that we had an EU commission seat on a permanent basis. The very fact that we are able to have an argument on taxation shows that we need a specific protocol on the issue. All of us agree that tax is a critical issue for Ireland, - whether we agree or disagree on the effects of Lisbon. A veto is irrelevant in the face of the ECJ. Therefore we need a specific protocol in the Treaty defending our interests in that area. If there is no threat, or malevolent intent from Brussels in the area of tax, surely they would have no problem giving it to us? If Brian Cowen cannot secure this for Ireland, he should not be in the job to which he has been elevated. The EU is desperate to see this Treaty passed. If they want us on board, then they should be willing to accede to these very reasonable requests. It is not unreasonable, for example, to ask for a President to be accountable at the ballot box. Otherwise, how can that President lecture countries like China on democracy? We have every right as an electorate to say no thank you. We pay our Government well to stand up for our interests, and it's perfectly reasonable to ask them to go and do a better job."
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 May 2008 )