Sep 09
10

Lisbon will….

8 Comments

Lisbon 01In the second of my posts about the Lisbon Treaty, I have outlined what the Lisbon treaty will do for Ireland, and what the benefits are to ratifying the treaty.

Much of the NO campaign’s argument has centered around misleading and false claims. So what I have tried to do here is outline the actual outcomes if the treaty is passed.

  • Lisbon will make it easier to catch and prosecute drug traffickers and terrorists.
  • Lisbon will make Ireland more attractive as a location for FDI thus providing more opportunities for better jobs.
  • Lisbon will copperfasten our membership of the euro.
  • Lisbon will lead to further good news for Irish consumers on top of developments like lower air fares, reduced mobile roaming costs, free access to emergency medical care while abroad, etc.
  • Lisbon will increase the opportunities for Irish firms to engage in innovation, R&D, etc thus improving education and job opportunities for Irish people (at home and abroad).
  • Lisbon will improve the chances of getting international and global action to tackle climate change making the world a cleaner healthier place for future generations of Irish people.
  • Lisbon will (now) ensure that each country continues to have a Commissioner thus ensuring an Irish mindset at the Commission table at all times.
  • Lisbon will mean that the Oireachtas will have a greater say in EU policy and lawmaking.
  • Lisbon will mean that citizens who wish to, can engage with Europe in the Irish language.
  • Lisbon will ensure that Irish neutrality is protected and that there is no prospect of conscription into any European Army or military action.

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Posted in National Issues by Cllr Laura McGonigle 8 Comments

8 Responses to "Lisbon will…."

  • Manolis Kalaitzake says:
    September 30, 2009 at 7:43 PM
    Reply

    Lisbon treaty: Section 2 Provision on the common security and defence policy —– “The
    Agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and
    armaments (hereinafter referred to as “the European Defence Agency”) shall identify
    operational requirements, shall promote measures to satisfy those requirements, shall
    contribute to identifying and, where appropriate, implementing any measure needed to
    strengthen the industrial and technological base of the defence sector, shall participate
    in defining a European capabilities and armaments policy, and shall assist the Council
    in evaluating the improvement of military capabilities.”

  • Manolis Kalaitzake says:
    September 30, 2009 at 7:43 PM
    Reply

    PEVIOUS POSTING DELETED BY CLLR.

    “peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security”. Im sorry Laura, the words may sound altruistic and noble but so do the rhetoric of just about every war-involved nation/entity in history. The fact is that the EU armaments industry provides for over one third of global arms sales including to vicious regimes who suppress civilians-such as Saudi Arabia and Israel.This Amnesty International report linked below is damning and confirms the obvious; namely, that EU arms sales “undermine global security”. The full truth of the matter is that the huge armaments industry have been lobbying the EU leaders for a long time now to get the EDA institutionalised into the core structures of EU policymaking. The massive contracts will be a huge bonanza. Theres no secret about this, the armaments industry openly lobby for it. So a few questions have to be asked: why are we wasting precious resources on weapons during a recession, while cutting back on essential public services? What has the creation of cluster munitions to do with “peace-keeping”? Why do the EU persist in exporting arms to vicious regimes who have been proven to use these weapons against defenceless civilian populations? This wastage and aggressive militarisation is not just madness in practical terms, but is deeply immoral, and should make any person of conscience vote ‘No’ the the Lisbon treaty. —- Amnesty Report: ‘UNDERMINING GLOBAL SECURITY: THE EUROPEAN UNION’S ARMS EXPORTS’ can be accessed at http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ACT30/003/2004/en/38bbb396-d617-11dd-bb24-1fb85fe8fa05/act300032004en.html

  • Manolis Kalaitzake says:
    September 30, 2009 at 7:41 PM
    Reply

    It really is quite incredible. I responded to the Cllr’s. post within hours of her reply which is printed above on September 16th. Within a few days it seems, Cllr. Laura McGonigle deleted my posting. I have contacted the Cllr. to find an explanation for the post being deleted but have not been able to get through to her. The only other possible explanation is that there was some error with the website but this seems highly unlikely. There is no reason why she would do this other than the fact that she is not willing to engage in a civil debate on the content of the treaty. I have proof of the old post and I will reprint the previous posting below. If you want to find it on the Google cache, simply google the words “amnesty cllr laura damning”–it will be the first hit and you can click on the ‘cache’ button which brings you to the blog page before she deleted my entry. Alternatively, go to http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:esfLqJM5e4UJ:lauramcgonigle.ie/2009/09/10/lisbon-will/+amnesty+cllr+laura+damning&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ie
    I have a saved copy and screenshot of the page if she tries to engage in this deceit again.
    As you can see, the entry is entirely factual and includes citations. It is neither offensive nor malicious. It is simply a powerful argument which the Cllr. wants to censor and avoid getting out to the public. It is an utter disgrace and shows the utter contempt for democracy that Cllr. McGonigle has.

  • Manolis Kalaitzake says:
    September 16, 2009 at 11:06 AM
    Reply

    Lisbon treaty: Section 2 Provision on the common security and defence policy —– “The
    Agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and
    armaments (hereinafter referred to as “the European Defence Agency”) shall identify
    operational requirements, shall promote measures to satisfy those requirements, shall
    contribute to identifying and, where appropriate, implementing any measure needed to
    strengthen the industrial and technological base of the defence sector, shall participate
    in defining a European capabilities and armaments policy, and shall assist the Council
    in evaluating the improvement of military capabilities.”

  • Manolis Kalaitzake says:
    September 16, 2009 at 2:05 AM
    Reply

    Have to agree with the above post. These are really spurious claims she is putting forward with no substance to back them up. Cite the treaty or be quiet. Eg. [member states will] “undertake progressively to improve military capacity” (Art. 42.3). Sounds like huge military contracts for the BAE, EADS and the rest of the armaments industry.

    • Cllr Laura McGonigle says:
      September 16, 2009 at 6:38 AM
      Reply

      Manolis,

      The Lisbon Treaty reinforces the progressive aims of the EU’s foreign policy: “peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter” (Article 42.1).
      It also improves the capabilities of the EU to realise these aims (Article 42.3) by getting the best possible value for taxpayers’ money and avoiding duplication and poor provision of equipment which endangers soldiers and civilians

  • Steve Kelly says:
    September 12, 2009 at 9:42 PM
    Reply

    Could you do us a favour and put the relevant articles from the treay in brackets at the end of each bullet point?

    e.g. Lisbon means less regulation of banks, at a time when any sane person would agree we need much more (Articles 63, 120, 127, 206).

    Thanks.

    • Cllr Laura McGonigle says:
      September 16, 2009 at 6:50 AM
      Reply

      Steve,

      The articles you mention dont have any relevance to regulation of our banks.
      Article 63 states:
      “1.The Union shall develop a common policy on asylum, subsidiary protection and temporary protection with a view to offering appropriate status to any third-country national requiring international protection and ensuring compliance with the principle of non-refoulement. This policy must be in accordance with the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol of 31 January 1967 relating to the status of refugees, and other relevant treaties.

      2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt measures for a common European asylum system comprising:

      (a) a uniform status of asylum for nationals of third countries, valid throughout the Union;

      (b) a uniform status of subsidiary protection for nationals of third countries who, without obtaining European asylum, are in need of international protection;

      (c) a common system of temporary protection for displaced persons in the event of a massive inflow;

      (d) common procedures for the granting and withdrawing of uniform asylum or subsidiary protection status;

      (e) criteria and mechanisms for determining which Member State is responsible for considering an application for asylum or subsidiary protection;

      (f) standards concerning the conditions for the reception of applicants for asylum or subsidiary protection;

      (g) partnership and cooperation with third countries for the purpose of managing inflows of people applying for asylum or subsidiary or temporary protection.

      3. In the event of one or more Member States being confronted with an emergency situation characterised by a sudden inflow of nationals of third countries, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may adopt provisional measures for the benefit of the ember State(s) concerned. It shall act after consulting the European Parliament.”

      Article 120 states:
      ” 1. Where a sudden crisis in the balance of payments occurs and a decision within the meaning of Article 119(2) is not immediately taken, a Member State with a derogation may, as a precaution, take the necessary protective measures. Such measures must cause the least possible disturbance in the functioning of the internal market and must not be wider in scope than is strictly necessary to remedy the sudden difficulties which have arisen.

      2. The Commission and the other Member States shall be informed of such protective measures not later than when they enter into force. The Commission may recommend to the Council the granting of mutual assistance under Article 119.

      3. After the Commission has delivered a recommendation and the Economic and Financial Committee has been consulted, the Council may, decide that the Member State concerned shall amend, suspend or abolish the protective measures referred to above.”

      Article 127 states:
      “1. The Union shall contribute to a high level of employment by encouraging cooperation between Member States and by supporting and, if necessary, complementing their action. In doing so, the competences of the Member States shall be respected.

      2. The objective of a high level of employment shall be taken into consideration in the formulation and implementation of Union policies and activities.”

      Article 206 states:
      “Where a vote is taken, any Member of the Council may also act on behalf of not more than one other member.”

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