Lisbon Bill to give Dail power to join Schengen?

[seabhcan]

The Lisbon Referendum Bill proposes to insert the following into the Irish constitution:

7° The State may exercise the options or discretions—

i to which Article 20 of the Treaty on European Union relating to
enhanced cooperation applies,

ii under Protocol No. 19 on the Schengen acquis integrated into the
framework of the European Union annexed to that 25 treaty and to the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (formerly known as the
Treaty establishing the European Community), and

iii under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and
Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice, so
annexed, including the option that the said Protocol No. 21 shall, in
whole or in part, cease to apply to the State, but any such exercise
shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the
Oireachtas.

I don't quite understand the reason for this change (which wasn't included in the 2008 referendum bill, afaik. But it sounds like it gives the state the right to opt in to Schengen at some future time without a further referendum. Is this correct?

[ibis]

It looks like it, at least on a preliminary reading. Not sure why that would require a Constitutional amendment, but it should at least cause monsieur - and the immigrationistas - some excitement.

[seabhcan]

Not sure why that would require a Constitutional amendment

Ass covering, I imagine.

[He3]

I don't quite understand the reason for this change (which wasn't included in the 2008 referendum bill, afaik. But it sounds like it gives the state the right to opt in to Schengen at some future time without a further referendum. Is this correct?

That is correct seabhcan.

[seabhcan]

Thatis correct seabhcan.

Personally, I'm in favour of joining Schengen. But isn't the gov taking a major risk by sneaking this in? It makes the coming referendum argument more complex and gives more arguments to the no camp.

I can see plently of scope for anti-immigration scare mongering on the basis of this.

[CookieMonster]

Personally, I'm in favour of joining Schengen. But isn't the gov taking a major risk by sneaking this in? It makes the coming referendum argument more complex and gives more arguments to the no camp.

I can see plently of scope for anti-immigration scare mongering on the basis of this.

I'd be in favour of joining Schengen myself. But it brings it's own problems and would, I'd imagine, bring an awful amount of opposition on top of what already exists... weird decision.

[ibis]

If they were trying to differentiate this referendum from the last, they've definitely picked something striking.

Hm. Presumably this is related to the British effectively terminating the Common Travel Area:

In July 2008 the UK Border Agency published a consultation paper on the Common Travel Area which envisages the imposition of identity and immigration controls on all air and sea crossings between the island of Ireland and Great Britain. Being part of the proposed electronic Borders system, these controls will be accompanied by an Advance Passenger Information System on all flights and sea journeys between the island of Ireland and Great Britain. The completion of this system is due for 2014.

[seabhcan]

Hm. Presumably this is related to the British effectively terminating the Common Travel Area:

Possibly, but I can't see any legal reason why we would need a constitutional amendment to join Schengen anyway. The minister for justice has total discretionary power over visas and immigration. We probably could join using a statutory instrument without even asking the Dail.

Very odd altogether.

[FutureTaoiseach]

This is totally unacceptable and underlines that immigration will once more be a major issue in this campaign. While Schengen would require us to establish some sort of border-controls with the Six Countries, on the other hand it would abolish such controls at ports and airports except in emergencies. That is utter unacceptable. Organised crime would also have a field-day smuggling in arms, drugs and people. The answer is no no no.

[He3]

Get me Amy Winehouse.