Open Public Meeting
"The EU Reform Treaty, and the debate."
addressed by Kieran Allen, author "Corporate Take-over of Ireland".
addressed by Kieran Allen, author "Corporate Take-over of Ireland".
Thursday 10th January 2008 8.15pm Arts Millennium building,
NUI Galway (room will be sign-posted on the night)
DO YOU WANT MORE SPENDING ON WARFARE, NOT HEALTHCARE?
DO YOU WANT MORE BATTLEGROUPS?
DO YOU WANT MORE PRIVATISATION?
YOU NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS IN THE LISBON TREATY.
In 2008, the Irish will be the only people in Europe who get to vote on the Lisbon Treaty, which EU leaders have already agreed between themselves.
The Irish government claims that the Lisbon Treaty amounts to a series of ‘house-keeping changes’ and is not really that important. But this is untrue.
The Treaty is substantially the same as the EU constitution that was rejected by the people of France and the Netherlands. Even Bertie Ahern admitted that ‘90% of the EU constitution is still there’. Among the major changes that the Lisbon Treaty will bring are
A requirement on member states to increase military spending. Article 27-3 states that ‘Member states shall undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities’
A legal requirement forcing member states to make troops available for EU battle groups (Article 27-3)
A ‘solidarity clause’ that can be invoked if one member state is subject to a terrorist attack. While solidarity is laudable, Bush’s attack on Iraq shows how cynical politicians can use such clauses to involve others in wars against innocent civilians.
The Irish people will be voting for the whole 450 million population of Europe, so we are duty bound to find out what is really in this Treaty. Then Vote No to privatisation, more military spending and a EU Superstate.
