Set date for Lisbon 2: Colm Burke MEP

[constitutionus]

Here we go again with the 'personal view' thing. This tactic is getting a little tiresome. This is Kenny being afraid to speak out, instead sending his minnow to fly a kite. If it goes wrong - well, it was only a personal view.

this is pissing me off too. is NO ONE willing to come out and say "yup, this is official party policy" on anything anymore?

seems to be the way to announce most fecking things nowadays.

cowardice, pure and simple. and not just this guy, the governments been more than happy to take this tac. i think the guarenttee was the only solo run that actually had party backing .

[holden]

“Set the Date” - Colm Burke MEP calls on the Irish Government to set a date for a second vote on Lisbon
Burke offers Innovative Solution to Lisbon Problem

Colm Burke MEP Ireland South today (Monday October 6th) called for a second and extended referendum on the Lisbon Treaty to be held in October 2009. The extended plebiscite is designed to address the concerns of Irish voters, and to allow them stronger participation in the debate on Ireland’s future position in Europe.

The Lisbon Treaty is a reality. This move will allow the Irish people their rightful voice, and stop the government from railroading ratification through the Oireachtas.

Speaking at the English Market, Cork, he said, “The recent report on the June ’08 vote states that 70% of voters feel that Irish interests are best served by being fully involved in the EU, and even 63% of No voters believe the EU to be a good thing. These inclinations show that Irish people want Ireland to remain a key player in Europe’s development. This extended plebiscite offers the Irish electorate a choice as to the extent of the role we want to play within the EU.”

Burke MEP is proposing the following:

• In addition to voting Yes or No on the Lisbon Treaty, people will also be offered an opportunity to vote on the key opt in/opt out issues of:
a. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
b. European Security and Defence Policy
By doing so, Irish voters will have the right to decide Ireland’s future direction in the EU in greater detail.

• Widespread reform of the Referendum Commission to strengthen the capacity of the Commission to counteract lies and misinformation put forward by both Yes and No sides in the run up to the vote. Reform allied to the extended plebiscite will allow the Commission an opportunity to offer a clearer picture on Lisbon.

Burke went on to say, “It is time we faced the issue head on. The Irish people voiced their concerns on Lisbon and I have listened. We are now in a precarious position where our Government remains lost; ignorant on a way forward after June's referendum result. My proposition today provides a clear path forward to resolve the current impasse. This extended plebiscite will allow Irish people to decide on how we as a nation move forward within the EU. In addition, my proposal on reform of the Referendum Commission should alleviate the concerns of those who voted No by allowing them the opportunity to vote directly on those issues. It must be borne in mind that the main reason cited for voting no in the first Lisbon referendum was a 'lack of knowledge, information or understanding' of the issue.”

If, in the extended referendum proposed by Colm Burke MEP, Irish voters were to opt out of either of the two areas cited above, the government could then seek a separate protocol signed by all 27 Member States. The position proposed is not without precedent. The UK and Poland have reserved the right to opt out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and Denmark has opted out of the European Security and Defence Policy.