Ireland vote 'YES' on Lisbon Treaty Referendum.

Treadmill

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/6258132/Lisbon-Treaty-approval-could-save-Ireland-200m-a-year-in-debt-costs.html

200 Million is not to be sneezed at

treliac

Cleaver wrote: »

Bored out of my mind tonight Trels. We've recently had our kitchen celing replaced but it needed the edges filling and it all needed painting, along with a few other jobs. So I had quite a pleasurable day doing DIY in the kitchen whilst listening to Radio 4. Any Questions, Any Answers, a documentary about some American children's writer, Moneybox. All good stuff. I'm old beyong my years.

But I'm in one of those moods tonight where I'm really tired from a busy week and today's activities, but kinda want to do something. But have ended up loafing on the couch in a bit of a grump. Although Match of the Day is just starting, which is nice.

You been up to much this weekend?

Full apologies for those looking for information about the treaty in Ireland. I have no f**king clue what it's about.

Not a lot. We've got flu visiting us at the moment. So lots of coughing and moping around in dressing gowns. Not a pretty sight!


As for Ireland - I don't know either, except to believe the Irish have been manipulated into thinking it's best for them, rightly or wrongly.

My natural cynicism fears our further loss of national control if we become part of a federal Europe ... such a disparate group of nations, can we ever want to work together towards common goals?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lisbon

From which the Charter of Fundamental Rights will impose on us Europe-wide human rights legislation:-

The European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights sets out in a single text, for the first time in the European Union's history, the whole range of civil, political, economic and social rights of European citizens and all persons resident in the EU.



These rights are divided into six sections:

• Dignity
• Freedoms
• Equality
• Solidarity
• Citizens' rights
• Justice

They are based, in particular, on the fundamental rights and freedoms recognised by the European Convention on Human Rights, the constitutional traditions of the EU Member States, the Council of Europe's Social Charter, the Community Charter of Fundamental Social Rights of Workers and other international conventions to which the European Union or its Member States are parties.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6225580.stm

I have no idea of the implications of all of this for us should it come into being. We are unlikely to know until it's too late. (And who wants Blair - or anyone else - as President of Europe? :rolleyes:)


But just for now - hope you're enjoying the football.

Thrugelmir

Treadmill wrote: »

The boom in Ireland was funded by a net transfer of wealth from the EU, I think they forgot that for a while. Its become clear again now though

Also attractively low rates of Corporation tax and development grants to attract US companies base their European operations there. Though these are heading for eastern Europe now and form a major part of Irelands problem.

Gorgeous_George

Over two referenda, Ireland have rejected the treaty. But on results it is now 1-1. Maybe they should vote again in a year's time to make it best of three.

Repeating referenda until you get the result that you want makes a mockery of democracy.

GG

Generali

From what I understand, the Tories may still scupper the treaty.

They've said they'll hold a referendum if there are still countries that haven't ratified the treaty. I believe that the Czech President is refusing to sign the bill that the Parliament have voted through to ratify the treaty and the most likely compromise, once the constitutional court has looked at it, is that they'll hold a referendum.

If the UK holds a referendum there is nil chance of it being ratified IMO.

FWIW, my opinion is that the EU needs a Constitution but the current one is rubbish.

Gorgeous_George

I saw the Tories on TV this morning. Talk about sat on the fence! No policies, no backbone.

GG

mewbie_2

Gorgeous_George wrote: »

I saw the Tories on TV this morning. Talk about sat on the fence! No policies, no backbone.

GG

As long as they get in, and get Labour out, they can have no policies whatsoever. In fact the fewer policies the better probably.

Thrugelmir

leveller2911 wrote: »

Its just a thought but wasn't the reason we went to war in 1939 was the "Threat to democracy"????....So what is different now?..

At the time the Germans had a peace treaty with the Soviet Union. Whereby they had agreed to carve up Eastern Europe between them.

The UK had little option but to protect its empire.

We no longer have the British Empire as WW2 saw to the demise of that. So we can no longer stand alone.

Geoffo_M

leveller2911 wrote: »

Spot on George, the way Cameroon answered everything except the questions he was asked was quite sickening.........Typical Tory boys ,smoke and mirrors....

Wasn't it disappointing. They are all the same. Effectively "We are going to hold a referendum, unless we decide not to". What rubbish! Just as much spin as NL

leveller2911

Thrugelmir wrote: »

At the time the Germans had a peace treaty with the Soviet Union. Whereby they had agreed to carve up Eastern Europe between them.

The UK had little option but to protect its empire.

We no longer have the British Empire as WW2 saw to the demise of that. So we can no longer stand alone.

I am well aware of our history Thrug,as for saying "we can no longer stand alone" ,I don't agree. Yes we are a small island nation and need to adapt ,however are you seriously suggesting allowing ourselves to be governed by people who we DON'T vote in, are NOT British and above all are corrupt as hell?........

It is the duty of us all to protect our country from the dictatorship that is the EU , for the sake of our children.They, the government of the day have NO right to give away that which is not theirs...

Those who say we couldn't survive as a nation outside of the EU are scaremongerers and nothing else.There are successful nations in Europe who are not members.

If you lose Democracy then you lose your freedom..........Fact..