Sinn Féin u-turn on EU Commission composition post-Lisbon?

[Gadjodilo]

If the Lisbon Treaty is passed, each country will continue to have equal representation on the European Commission with a commissioner for 10 out of every 15 years. This rule applies to all countries regardless of population; Ireland will be treated the same as Germany, France, the UK and Italy.

Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin appears - however advertently - to endorse this proposal this week when he stated in an interview with the Cavan Echo, "In our opinion, every member should have equal say and representation on the EU Commission".

This is exactly what Lisbon gives us.



To see the quote:
1. Go to http://www.cavanecho.com
2. Page down and click on the reduced size front page icon in the bottom right hand corner.
3. Click on Next in the new window to go forward to page 3.
4. The article is at the top of the page.
5. It leaves unchallenged some errors Sinn Féiners have been making; e.g. neutrality.

[brio910]

Yes, the No side groups want equal say at the commission.

As well as PERMANENT presence at the commission table.

[Gadjodilo]

Yes, the No side groups want equal say at the commission.

As well as PERMANENT presence at the commission table.

Maybe some no groups do. Sinn Féin aren't mentioning it - not any more.

[TimBuckII]

Lisbon will make it unequal for everyone. If you have a commissioner for 10 years it is unequal to those with no commissioner and when you lose your commissioner it is unequal for you.

[Solipsist]

Lisbon will make it unequal for everyone. If you have a commissioner for 10 years it is unequal to those with no commissioner and when you lose your commissioner it is unequal for you.

Great use of language - I love the concept of "unequal for everyone"...

[TimBuckII]

Lisbon will make it unequal for everyone. If you have a commissioner for 10 years it is unequal to those with no commissioner and when you lose your commissioner it is unequal for you.

Great use of language - I love the concept of "unequal for everyone"...

[Gadjodilo]

Can I just clarify that I'm not attacking Sinn Féin in this thread?

Hitherto, I would have believed all members to have been almost robotic in their desperation to stay on message. The fact that a little bit of heterodoxy is being allowed in the ranks is a very positive development.

Other politicial parties, please take note.

[seabhcan]

All the no groups also ignore that we stand to lose our commissioner in 2009 under Nice Treaty rules. If lisbon passes, we keep our commissioner full time until 2014, and then the rotating commissioner system begins (assuming the next treaty doesn't override Lisbon - as Lisbon is now doing to Nice)

A No vote would scrap our commissioner from next year.