Europe
EU unveils 'Solution to the Irish Problem' - second referendum in autumn 2009
The Telegraph reports that an EU official has asserted in an internal briefing paper that Ireland should be pressurised into holding a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty in autumn 2009. The paper, entitled 'The Solution to the Irish Problem', predicts that Ireland will cave in at the forthcoming summit of EU leaders in Brussels in October. The paper says that guarantees will be provided in advance of the second vote that Ireland will not lose its EU Commissioner. In addition, there will be "declarations" or protocols making clear that Ireland's right to set its own policy on neutrality, abortion and taxation will not be affected by Lisbon. "The second Irish referendum could take place, on this new basis, during autumn 2009, pushing back the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon until 2010," the paper is reported to state. The paper suggests that leading European diplomats and bureaucrats favour this autumn 2009 date for a second referendum.
The FT confirms the likelihood of this timeframe, noting that Dublin will tell its EU partners at next month's leaders' summit that it is not possible to stage a fresh referendum on the Lisbon Treaty before next summer's European elections, as France and others have sought.
The Irish press focusses on the release of government-funded research yesterday on the reasons for the Irish No vote, which found that there was an even split between 'soft' voters on both the Yes and No sides. The most cited reason for voting Yes was that the EU had been good for Ireland, 20 per cent, with 16 per cent saying the treaty was good for Ireland and 14 per cent believing it was right thing to do. 42 per cent of people voted No to the Lisbon Treaty due to lack of understanding. The prospect of domination by large countries, 13 per cent, and a fear that the Treaty represented a bad deal for Ireland, 8 per cent, were the next most cited reasons for voting No. The groups who voted No in the biggest numbers were those from the lower income groups, 65 per cent, people aged between 24 and 34, 59 per cent, and women, 56 per cent.
The research also warns against pushing the Irish people to vote again: "Although many had voted No simply through lack of understanding, and some were prepared to consider changing their minds if the same document were presented with clearer explanations, the general consensus at the time, was that if presented unchanged it could result in an even more negative result. No voters in particular often expressed offence at the idea that their decision would not be respected."
The Economist blog argues that the reasons for voting Yes to Lisbon were no more valid than those for voting no: "the study reports that 56% of Irish voters thought that the treaty would bring about more efficient decision-making in the EU, and 61% thought it would strengthen Europe's role in the world. Those are, indeed, two of the proudest boasts of the pro-Lisbon camp. Alas, they are not objectively proved facts at all. 'Efficient' decision making is a codephrase for more majority voting (which is certainly quicker, some of the time, than trying to secure unanimous support for new laws). But since when was it efficient to pass laws more quickly? Indeed, since when was it a good thing to pass laws more quickly? The North Korean parliament is a marvel of efficient decision-making, as is a torch-wielding lynch mob. Neither is an attractive model for the EU."
On his blog, Libération journalist Jean Quatremer says: "We now know that the Irish are going to organise a second referendum on the same text, as the Europe Minister Dick Roche admitted at the end of August. But, this time, it will contain 'declarations' which will reassure those Irish people worried that their neutrality, the banning of abortion and gay marriage or their right of veto in tax and social harmonisation matters will not be threatened by the Lisbon Treaty." He quotes Foreign Minister Micheal Martin saying, "People expect to be provided with clear information when they are asked to vote in referendums. I hope that an informed debate on the future role of Ireland within the EU can largely reassure the population on the important subjects in question." Quatremer says this means the next referendum "will take place in a different context: at the moment, 24 countries have ratified Lisbon and Sweden and the Czech Republic should follow suit before the end of the year. If the Irish reject the Lisbon Treaty again and find themselves marginalised, they will not be able to say: 'I didn't know'."
Coulisses de Bruxelles FT Irish Times Irish Times 2 Irish Times 3 Irish Times 4 Irish Times 5 Irish Times Hennesy Irish Times leader HLN Times RTE EUobserver Irish Examiner Jean Quatremer Euractiv Irish Independent Irish Independent Irish Independent-Comment Irish Independent-Smyth IHT Telegraph Economist Irish Government Research
Trade union warns against ECJ threat to workers' right
PA reports that Unite - the UK's biggest trade union - will today call on the TUC Congress to support its campaign against what it sees as the erosion of workers' rights in Europe. Derek Simpson, joint leader of Unite, will warn that a number of recent decisions made by the European Court of Justice - such as in the Laval, Viking and Ruffert cases - could set a legal precedent which will prevent unions from taking action to defend UK workers' pay and conditions. "We cannot afford to underestimate the consequences of these decisions - they must be challenged," he will say.
Statewatch: EU's post 9-11 security strategy a "frightening" grab of personal information
The Telegraph looks at a report from civil liberties group Statewatch, which criticises the EU's post-9/11 security strategy, describing it as a "frightening" grab for every aspect of individual information. The report argues that the EU now sees data privacy and judicial scrutiny of police surveillance tactics as obstacles to efficient law enforcement co-operation, rather than rights to be safeguarded. It also describes the so-called EU "Future Group" preparing a new five-year security strategy - including a detailed data exchange deal with the US - as "shadowy". Furthermore the report notes, "Across the EU, governments have, or are, adopting national laws for the mandatory retention of everyone's communications data - all forms of communication...a frightening detailed picture of each individual's everyday life and habits can be accessed at the click of a button."
Economist: Russia would not take the EU any more seriously if Lisbon was in force
The Times reports that the EU's latest attempt at peacemaking with the Kremlin over Georgia appears to be unravelling. Russia contradicted claims by French President Nicolas Sarkozy that EU observers would play a role in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The IHT reports that a senior German official in Berlin said European leaders understood that the agreement forged on Monday did not allow them access to the disputed areas, but hoped to persuade the Russians to ease the restriction.
The Economist blog argues, "It is also highly debatable that the Lisbon treaty would magically give the EU a bigger role in the world. Take the current stand-off with Russia, and EU demands that Russian troops be withdrawn from buffer zones round South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Does anyone believe that the Russian government would be more likely to back down if faced with a "double-hatted" high representative for foreign affairs, who serves both the European Commission and the Council of the European Union?"
Times De Tijd Volkskrant Economist blog Times IHT
EU to rush through new round of controversial financial regulation
A meeting next weekend of European finance ministers in Nice under the French EU Presidency is to discuss reform of the supervision of financial firms in Europe. The proposals have been put forward by European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, who said that recent financial turmoil exposed the "chronic lack of private-sector discipline and competence". They intend to supervise credit ratings agencies and beef up banking regulation and are controversial as they would make originators retain capital for at least 10 per cent of the exposures they securitise. Separately, the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Committee passed a resolution calling on the Commission to step up regulation of hedge funds and private equity funds. The FT reports on complaints that the legislative process has been rushed to beat parliamentary elections next year.
UN expert says EU and US biofuel targets are "biggest cause of the world food crisis"
A United Nations expert said that recent studies indicate that European Union and US targets for biofuel production by their grain farmers have been the biggest cause of the world food crisis. The French EU Presidency is reported to have "no reaction".
Poland wants to introduce the euro by 2011, naming a date for the first time.
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