'Yes' vote for Lisbon is in all our interests

In just over four weeks' time, Ireland will be asked - for the second time - to approve the Lisbon Treaty, which will allow the European Union to push ahead with reforms that will update the rulebook by which the enlarged Union works. First time around, in June 2008, too much was taken for granted by its proponents, complacency set in and too much misinformation and muddying of the waters was allowed to distort the facts to such a degree that the Irish electorate voted 'No'. Even after its previous rejection by the French and Dutch people, this was a big shock to Brussels. An embarrassed Irish Government set about trying to understand the concerns expressed by the electorate at the ballot box, conducted research to establish and clarify the issues, and returned to Brussels armed with this information. As a result, Taoiseach Brian Cowen received a series of legal guarantees at the June European Council. These guarantees from our EU partners will ensure that Ireland retains control over its own tax rates, our traditional policy of military neutrality remains with no conscription to a European defence force, and Irish constitutional protections on issues such as the right to life and family will not be changed. In addition, we will retain an Irish Commissioner. The importance of workers' rights and public services has also been reaffirmed. The specific concerns which researchers pointed to as being the reasons for the rejection of Lisbon I last year have been adequately addressed. Now, it is up to the Government to sell it to the people before Lisbon II on 2nd October. In common with the overwhelming majority of this country's political parties and virtually all civic and business organisations in Ireland, this newspaper is strongly advocating a 'Yes' vote to Lisbon. Complacency and inertia cannot be allowed to take hold in this campaign like it did last year. Even if opinion polls over the next few weeks show a growing majority in favour of the treaty, those backing a 'Yes' vote cannot take anything for granted and must use every hour to get the message across that we have nothing to fear from Lisbon II. There will, of course, be a serious temptation on the part of many people to attempt to punish the Government for the mess it has created in the banks and the wider economy by voting 'No'. That is an understandable reaction but it would be a mistake to do so. This referendum should not be used simply to rain down blows on the Government - that should be left to another day. This referendum is not a Government popularity contest, it is about restoring international confidence in Ireland and sending a strong message to foreign investors and our EU partners that we are fully committed to the European ideal and want to work with them for a better future for all. This message has never been more more important at a time of great economic uncertainty. Remaining aligned closely with Europe is vital for jobs and the economy. The scale of the global crisis of the past 18 months has underscored our vulnerability to external market forces. We can better face the future with committed partners at our side than we can on our own at the physical and metaphorical edge of Europe. The European Union, as one of the world's major trading blocs, will remain an engine for growth and prosperity, and it can respond effectively to further challenges that may lie ahead on issues like energy security, climate change and global health alerts. While many of our EU partners had reason to question our commitment to the European project when the treaty referendum was shot down last year, the fact remains that a majority of Irish people want to remain engaged with the European Union, once they can be convinced that it is in our interests to do so. A strong 'Yes' to Lisbon will reaffirm that solidarity with our partners. This time around, it is crucial for citizens to understand what it is they are being asked to vote for and to cut through the chaff being thrown about by the treaty's opponents. This time, let us at least have a factual, balanced, but above all, truthful debate on what the Lisbon Treaty is about so that the electorate can go to their polling stations on 2nd October armed with a clear grasp of the issues on which to base their decision.