10 Reasons for Yes/No Vote

[Guinnesslad]

I know there are loads of threads based on the same general idea, but I want a clear concise list for both sides stating their causes. What are the ten main reasons to vote Yes, and to vote No.

No fear mongering...
For example: 'A 'no' vote may in the future pave our way out of the EU." It does not mean 'A no vote equals EU expulsion.'

This is not a debate, think logically and without bias. No voters, think why you should vote yes - there are bound to be a few positives. Yes voters think why you should vote no, there are definite downsides.

Cheers!

[Mr Boxing]

If in any doubt what way to vote,F**KEM VOTE NO.

[FutureTaoiseach]

1. The new voting system gives too much power to Big States. 4 of them can block all EU legislation on the Council of Ministers, while 11 small countries together couldn't, because the blocking-minority is 4 countries with over 35% of the EU's population. Ireland's vote goes from 2.1% to 0.9%.
2. The Charter of Fundamental Rights will override the Irish Constitution on many, many areas of human rights, including asylum, industrial relations, freedom of speech/press, ethical issues and even our justice education system, and health service. Giving the ECJ that kind of jurisdiction makes it a Supreme Court, allowing it to overrule the Irish Supreme Court on practically everything. Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union as amended by Lisbon makes the Charter part of EU law with the same value as the Treaties.
3. We lose 34 vetoes now with the prospect of losing a further 16 later. The wording of the Lisbon I referendum legislation (28th amendment to the Constitution Act 2008) allows the govt and Oireachtas to surrender the Protocol that gives us an optout from QMV on Justice and Home Affairs without a referendum. I expect this provisions to be included in the Lisbon II legislation when it goes through the Oireacthas in July.
4. The rotating Presidency of the European Council, whereby every member state was treated equally in presiding over the business of the EU for 6 months, is being replaced with a permanent office of President of the European Council with a 2 year fixed-term. Because 4 Big Countries will be able to block all nominees, it marks a further shift of power from the Small States to the Big States.
5. Article 28 of the Treaty on European Union is amended by Lisbon to militarise the EU and end our neutrality. Article Article 28a(7):states: "If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power."
6. The powers for national parliaments are purely consultative and informative. They will not have the power - even as groups - to force the EU Commission to withdraw a proposed EU law.
7. The Citizens Petition cannot force the EU to withdraw legislation and requires at least 1 million signatures.
8. Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union as amended by Lisbon makes the Treaties self-amending, allowing the European Council to change the treaties independently, without recourse to national referenda.
9. The French and Dutch peoples voted no to the 95% identical EU Constitution, so it would be morally wrong to force this transfer of sovereignty on them against their collective will.
10. The guarantees are not inserted into a Protocol until a future Treaty to be negotiated at an unknown date. It is possible therefore that future governments will refuse to abide by this promise. Once Lisbon goes through, we lose our leverage to accomplish that. Vote no to force the elite to add the Protocol to the Treaties and ratify them so we know for certain the assurances are legally binding.

[Mr Boxing]

Thanks for filling us in FutureTaoiseach.

[Guinnesslad]

Ok the No side has been covered, at least by one person.

What about the Yes side? 10 convincing arguments without scaremongering.

[Supermanpolitician]

Ten Reasons.....why ten, why not eleven....or nine?

Here'smy tu-pence!

It is a good treaty which allows expansion of the most successful economic agreementin world history. It provides much needed reform of institutions.

[tompatrick]

vote No in order to keep abortion out of Ireland. A Yes vote WILL lead to an abortion shop on every corner. . .

[Colonel Kurtz]

vote No in order to keep abortion out of Ireland. A Yes vote WILL lead to an abortion shop on every corner. . .

It is hard to take you serious with statements like that.

[Supermanpolitician]

vote No in order to keep abortion out of Ireland. A Yes vote WILL lead to an abortion shop on every corner. . .

Are you serious???????????????

Where in the Lisbon Treaty does it say anything about abortion?

[Guinnesslad]

vote No in order to keep abortion out of Ireland. A Yes vote WILL lead to an abortion shop on every corner. . .

No, get out of the thread.

I said no scaremongering, and no debates. 10 Clear cut facts. If you can't give 10, list as many as you can. For both sides.
C'mon someone give me 10 facts why to vote 'Yes' (without the scare tactics).