Originally Posted by Tony Bennett:
Stephen Collins, Political Editor of the 'Irish Times', says that the Irish Parliament should go ahead and ratify the Lisbon Treaty anyway, whatever the people say.

A bit like Britain, really, except that they didn't even give us a referendum:

Ratify Lisbon Treaty regardless of referendum result - The Irish Times - Sat, Aug 02, 2008

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Stephen Collins is a Traitor to the Irish people if he wishers the Irish Parliament to go ahead with ratifying the Treaty of anti democratic change Stephen Collins your a dam crook and a sham.
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Published in 'The Irish Independent':

Veto on treaty is good democracy - Letters, Opinion - Independent.ie

Veto on treaty is good democracy

[Monday August 04 2008]

QUOTE

As part of the arrangement that brought the Lisbon Treaty into being, it was
agreed by all signatories that each individual country had to pass it.

This is being done by ratification everywhere but in Ireland. We had a
referendum. Critically, the EU made it clear that the passing of the treaty must
be unanimous.

There was an implicit understanding that if any one country rejected it, then it
could not be implemented.

It is important to understand that without that provision, the treaty would not
have been put to Europe in the first place. By granting what was effectively a
veto to all participants, the EU demonstrated its democracy in action.

So, even if we had voted 'Yes' to the Lisbon Treaty and, Belgium, for example,
refused to ratify it, then it could not go ahead. If the British electorate
force Gordon Brown to hold a referendum and they vote 'No' (which seems likely),
then the treaty cannot be passed.

I have heard from several friends who have returned from a variety of different
European sunspots that when ordinary locals heard their accents they came over
and shook hands to congratulate them on voting 'No'. That reaction was unanimous
too. Not one person returning reported any negative reactions.

But then, maybe, that is the crux of the matter.

The ordinary people are happy. We are told that we have created a grave
situation, that the matter is serious. Perhaps it is, for Sarkozy and Avril
Doyle, who are well beyond worrying about money or lifelong security and are
looking greedily instead at power and the enhancement of their reputations (as
viewed by their own peers of course).

Maybe Avril will now not get to poke her nose into our personal lives as much as
she would like to, and Sarkozy may not be remembered as a great European leader.
But if that does not concern you, then we are still operating under existing
treaties and everything is just fine the way it is.

John Mallon
Mayfield
Cork

UNQUOTE

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'Screw Your 'No' Vote is the Latest Plan' ('Independent' today 11 Aug 2008):

Screw your No vote is the latest plan - Gene Kerrigan, Columnists - Independent.ie

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It seems as if the Irish 'NO' has ruffled a few feathers outside of the Emerald Isle. For some time now there has been speculation about a referendum to end Denmark's Maastrict Treaty opt outs and get her into the Euro. According to this link that is now all on hold.

Denmark calls off vote on EU opt-outs - Telegraph

Personally speaking I think it's a pity; I'd love to see Brussels get another bloody nose from another referendum defeat! :-)
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