Lisbon vote October 2nd - How do you intend to vote?

oooh still voting no!

The name is actually how do you intend to vote. its a poll and im expressing my opinons. so get back to what ever important thing you are doing

Hi marco_polo
You guys obviously have an academic understanding of the details of the treaty and I do respect what you are saying. You feel that the EU has done more for Ireland than our own government has. I can understand that. You basically feel that the big business' interests are our interests whether we like it or not - they are the ones who make the jobs for us - and that we can play a role in the future of Europe and its objectives.
But is it also true that the because we are already so deeply entrenched in Europe (like the Euro) our own government is less and less powerful in itself? I think people in general, who previously wouldn't have thought to care about this stuff are suddenly realizing that Europe is becoming a force. Understandably people are suspicious - it comes down to the times we are in right now and the actual state of the world. People in all countries are scared by all the doom and gloom, i mean it really does feel like the arse is going to fall out of the US monetary system for example, and what kind of effect would that have?

Imo, the Lisbon Treaty, and all the hoo haa about it, at a time when the economy is already down the toilet, is really the last thing people give a toss about and that's the real problem here - a country under the duress of economic decline is being asked to turn their attention to Europe?
We don't wanna hear the government talking about 'there will be no jobs if we don't vote yes'. People want to hear about the jobs they're supposed to be creating. Here. Now.


(True in the instance of the Social declaration it is only a political statement. This is not true of the decisions though.) So why doesn't the booklet explain that to me joe public instead of brushing over it? And isn't a little bit of an oxymoron?

(Originaly we had agreed to partake in these areas under the orignal EU Constitution, but once Britain opted out we decided to follow suit.
All the government is saying is that it will review this decision after a period of three years.) Im sorry but that should be out of the question surely? We are talking about neutrality.

(Presumeably nothing since neither Russia or Georgia are EU states. Would you be deeply opposed to sending in principal to sending emergency service workers or Aid to a fellow EU member state in the event of a disaster?)
We already do this don't we? Isn't Ireland one of the most charitable nations in these situations?

How does it give euro politicians more power to act without consent? Lisbon certainly does not move the EU in the direction of a federal state since the fundamental structures of the EU will change very little with the exception some areas of the decision making structure.
Exactly, you answered your own question.


(The only thing that I am aware of that has to be decided upon is the implementation of the Citizens Initative? ) I thought I saw it a few times, it's pretty important though, to have the Citizens Initiative in stone or not have them at all as it just appears to Sex up the document imo


(What are you suggesting as alternatives? It certainly seems that you are advocating an isolationist position for Ireland?)
No, not at all, that's too extreme in the other direction y'know. I was looking at Norway for example, I know they have oil but we have (had) gas and other exportable goods, fish, meat, art, culture. Anyway Norway is reporting increase in economy and they're not in the EU.
They are still in the EEC. Why wouldn't we just let the banks fail (like Iceland) and then try to re-establish our place between Europe and the US. Maybe I'm talking bull, I'm just afraid that Ireland has lost the jobs to eastern Europe already and voting yes is not going to bring them back. Do you think it will? Really? Look I'm not nearly qualified to get too far into the finer points of the treaty but I'm just expressing my feelings and the feelings of those around me, coz I think everyone should do that in these times.