Putting Our Faith in Lisbon
Posted by Robin O'Sullivan on August 19, 2009 in Politics with 0 CommentsSo the Chairman of the Referendum Commission sees a big increase in understanding of the Lisbon Treaty this time around. That’s good news certainly, now all we need is for those whose understanding has improved to come out and vote ‘Yes’ in October.
I am reminded irresistibly of last year's marvellous cartoon by Martyn Turner in the Irish Times - remember it? A four member line-up, bespectacled female (middle class?); punk male; elderly male and business type female. The 'dialogue/monologue' said it all:
"I'm not buying into Lisbon as I don't understand it and have never read it"; "I won't be buying a car as I don't understand the internal combustion engine and have never read a manual";
"I won't be going to church anymore as I don't understand 'God' and I haven't read all of the Bible; 'No more flying for me...how do planes stay in the air? And has anyone read the 12 pages of small print on a Ryanair ticket?"
All followed by a little footnote 'Some things you have to take on faith..."
My faith, as I expressed it then and still do, lay in the enormous economic and social achievements this country made from 1973 onwards as a result of our membership of the EEC/EU. Now, even in the midst of the worst recession to hit the world and especially this country, my faith remains unshaken - indeed I am convinced that we would be infinitely worse off were we not members, or if we once again, for selfish 'reasons' or misplaced ideological 'principles', diminish our membership and our standing by blocking what is in essence a consolidation of all the treaties which go to make up the EU taking into account its growth and expansion through the years.
Cork Chamber is again calling for a 'Yes' on the basis of the overall interest of this region, as a way of creating job opportunities and contributing to a recovery from the current economic difficulties. It is a position we should all support by using our votes for a 'Yes" on Referendum Day.
Robin O'Sullivan has covered elections and referenda of all sorts as a journalist since the late 1950s and his special interest in the democratic process and the Irish economy. He retains a much more than peripheral interest in the communications industry.Find out more at Robin's Profile. Don't forget to subscribe if you'd like to hear more!
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