RELEVANT representative bodies of three Irish Protestant Churches have urged voters in the referendum “to consider carefully the changed context in which Ireland finds itself following the rejection of the first referendum, and in the light of the declarations of the European Council”.They noted that “these guarantees provide that Ireland will keep a commissioner, will remain in control of our own tax rates, will retain control over neutrality , over sensitive ethical issues such as abortion, and that workers’ rights and public services will be valued and protected in Ireland and across the union”.
The statement was issued yesterday by the European affairs working group of the Church of Ireland’s Church in Society Committee; the Methodist president Rev Donald Ker and that church’s Council on Social Responsibility; and the Clerk of Ireland Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Alan Pim.
They urged “that serious consideration be given to the following questions. What impact would a negative Irish vote have on our partners in the union when they have given legally-binding guarantees?
“If we do not trust either the intentions of 26 partners, or the capacity of our Government and EU representatives as members of the union to negotiate in Ireland’s and the union’s best interests, why remain in the union? What are the implications of increasing isolation for Ireland’s future in the context of our current crisis?”
They said that “in the light of the council’s assurances, there is a renewed opportunity to consider the core purpose of the treaty, which is to streamline the institutions of a union designed initially for six partners”.
The treaty contained “important structural changes that will enhance democratic participation both by increasing the competence of the European Parliament and the roles of national parliaments”.
“Thus the key question is whether the union will function more efficiently, effectively and democratically as a consequence of adopting a treaty that our partners are satisfied will achieve these objectives.”
They asked how, outside the union, “another rejection by Ireland be viewed by potential investors or by aspiring member states, which will have to wait indefinitely until the union is in a position to carry out the similar structural reforms to those proposed in the treaty? That will be a long time coming if this treaty fails.”
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