Beverley Flynn, Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo and member of the sub-committee on Ireland’s future in the EU, raised her concerns to Mr John Bruton about the development of a two-tiered approach to Europe following Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.
Mr Bruton, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the USA, last week addressed the committee on the impact of the Lisbon Treaty referendum result in relation to Ireland's influence within the EU and globally.
During the meeting Deputy Flynn said: “If a two-tier Europe develops, we might end up tying ourselves closely to the United Kingdom in the future rather than being central to the European Union, which is something we have valued greatly as a country since we joined the European Union in 1973.
“Irish people feel very empowered by the fact that they can vote in a referendum on European issues and I would not like to think our inability to sell the Lisbon Treaty to them would result in a change of direction in order to find a quick fix to get around the problem in future."
Speaking after the meeting, Dep Flynn said: “I am pleased that we have received assurance from Mr Bruton that it is not possible for the Lisbon Treaty to come into effect without Ireland’s approval. He moved to allay these fears by outlining that it is not possible to introduce a two-tier Europe under the Lisbon Treaty for 26 members without the 27.
“He did point out that it is possible for the other 26 to ratify a new treaty containing all the content of the Lisbon Treaty but without Ireland. However, it would be a complex process. A new treaty for 26 member states would have to go through the ratification process in all of the other countries separately and, in effect, it would mean the establishment of a new European Union.
“At the meeting, Mr Bruton also reassured me that enhanced co-operation is not a suitable vehicle for the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty.
“The power to vote on European issues is something Irish people value highly and I would not like to see that power eroded. In my capacity as member of the special sub-committee, I intend to work hard on this matter to ensure that we will continue our right to vote in referenda on European issues,” said Dep Flynn.
