LISBON TREATY EXPLAINED
1. Our future in Europe
We would be sorely mistaken to believe the spin that a No vote in this referendum would not impact on Ireland’s standing in the EU. In reality, Ireland would no longer benefit from the special treatment we have received for so long. If we are the only nation, out of 27, to reject the Treaty and halt the important changes that are proposed, our standing in Europe will inevitably suffer.
2. More Democracy
National parliaments will be able to signal if they are unhappy with a particular EU proposal, and will be able to refer such proposals to the European institutions. The new Citizen’s Initiative will allow at least one million signatures from a significant number of member states to ask the EU to take a specific initiative. This gives power to people and their national parliaments.
3. Greater World Influence
A new and purposeful approach to common foreign and security policy will see the EU strengthen and enhance its role on the world stage. With one single EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, we will, for the first time, have a strong and united voice speaking on our behalf in world affairs. A united voice will also be critical in trade negotiations in the World Trade Organisation. Ireland, with a population of four million, can only have minimal influence, but a united Europe of almost 500 million has the potential to be a major player in global affairs.
4. Effective Law Making
If ratified, the Treaty will make Europe work more efficiently and effectively, speeding up decision-making and giving the citizens of Europe a greater say. EU Institutions, like the Commission, Council and Parliament, will be reformed and the EU will be given competence to act in new areas such as energy, tourism, sport and humanitarian assistance. Lisbon makes provision, for the first time in the EU treaties, for action to combat climate change.
5. Faster Decision Making
The idea of trying to achieve unanimous decision-making in most policy areas, with 27 member states involved, would be farcical. Therefore, the ability of just one member state to veto decisions has been restricted in some of the few areas where it remained, in favour of a fairer weighted-majority system.
This system of qualified majority voting has been introduced in a number of important areas, such as international crime, human trafficking, environment, energy security and urgent humanitarian aid. These are areas where one state, acting on its own can have minimal influence, but where 27 states united can have a major impact.
6. Human Rights
For the first time, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights will become legally binding on the EU institutions and the Member States when they are implementing EU law. This will add a new level of protection to the rights of citizens and will prevent the EU from infringing on their rights. These rights include fundamental human rights such as the right to life and the prohibition of torture.
7. Peace-Keeping Missions
The Treaty will enable the EU to develop its capabilities for conflict prevention and crisis management in a manner that is fully consistent with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
8. More Small Countries
The increased number of small countries with similar concerns to Ireland has bolstered the influence of smaller countries within the EU. This Treaty offers a fairer, stronger system of co-operation between member states.
9. Workers' Rights
The Lisbon Treaty obliges the Union, when defining and implementing policies, to take into account the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection and the fight against social exclusion. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which will be given Treaty status for the first time, contains new protections for workers' rights.
