Sinn Fein's demands for a new Treaty
(B2) It is Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein MEP (affiliated to the United European Left) who published the main elements in the Irish Times of June 18 (see article - in English - here). Here are the elements she believes would allow Sinn Fein to call for a Yes vote in a new referendum on the Lisbon Treaty:
• The return to a permanent Commissioner for all Member States (at the Commission);
• Return to the Nice Treaty formula for qualified majority voting (in the Council);
• The deletion of eight self-amendment articles, including the simplified revision procedure of article 48;
• The deletion of Article 46a giving legal personality to the EU;
• A strengthened protocol on the role of national parliaments;
• A significantly extended protocol on the principles of subsidarity and proportionality including EU objectives and values;
• Substantial amendments on aspects of the common security and foreign policy;
• Substantial amendments to the section on Common Security and Defense Policy;
• A new neutrality protocol;
• A reinforced social clause;
• A substantially revised protocol on vital public services;
• Amendments to the articles concerning public services and state aid;
• The inclusion of the European Trade Unions (ETUC) social progress clause to protect workers' rights;
• A Protocol on Irish Tax Sovereignty;
• Substantial amendments to Article 188 concerning international trade agreements including the veto on mixed WTO agreements;
• A new protocol ending Ireland's participation in Euratom (the European Atomic Community);
• A series of amendments to Articles 10 and 188 promoting the needs of a developing world in the context of international trade.
NB: It can be noted, all the same, that certain demands such as the protocol on public services, on national parliaments, the reinforced social clause, are precisely
innovations of the Lisbon Treaty.
