Posted on 18-10-2002

Ireland to Vote on EU Treaty

Voters in Ireland will be going to the polls on Saturday for a referendum
on the Treaty of Nice. The Treaty deals with the expansion and
militarisation of the European Union and the flexibility of its institutions.

Ireland is the only country where the people are allowed to ratify or
reject the Treaty; every other member of the EU has had their parliament
make the decision. The same referendum was held in Ireland a year ago and
was defeated. Those calling for a Yes vote include the majority of the
political parties, the national and multinational business community in
Ireland, and pro-liberalization forces from all over Europe. They are
outspending the Irish opposition by a factor of 9 to 1 in their desperation
to change the minds of Irish Voters.

The Ireland IMC website (www.indymedia.ie/) is hosting a lively discussion
of the issues, even though no one has posted an argument in favor of the
Treaty. One charge against the referendum is that the treaty will grant
anti-democratic fast-track powers to the unelected European Commission to
sign the EU as a whole up to International trade agreements.