Working Notes: Perspectives on Europe

With the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty just weeks away the build-up has been gathering momentum. Various civil society groups including those comprising some of our best known arts and sports celebrities, farmers, lawyers, ‘women for Europe’ have publicised their support for a Yes vote. Whatever the outcome of the vote on October 2nd, it seems reasonable to suppose that we know more than we did last time. Voting Yes or No cannot be reasonably based on the claimed ignorance of the content of the Treaty. This edition of Working Notes presents various perspectives on Europe, – not solely on the Treaty – with emphasis on some of the less publicised underlying values.

How do others see us? From Brussels, Frank Turner’s article comprises a report and a personal view. He gives a broad spectrum of political views and comments on the Treaty itself, accompanied by some very insightful observations on the Irish Process. He explores the ever-present tension between shared sovereignty and exclusive national sovereignty and its impact on an EU that seeks social justice. Political views and comments on the Irish Process are more astutely if gently stated than we are accustomed to and the more challenging for that. Is the fundamental game ‘my country versus the other 26’? ... Read More