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Former Green MEP Patricia McKenna took a Supreme Court action in 1995 arguing that it was illegal for the State to push one side or the other in a referendum. The outcome was the independent Referendum Commission and a 50-50 split on coverage of both sides in a given campaign. This sounds entirely reasonable, fair and equitable. [...] I wrote a piece a few days ago about the ‘No’ dynamic in the Lisbon campaign. If, as looks likely from the tallies, an emphatic ‘No’ has been returned, the political establishment have some serious questions to answer. The content of the Treaty couldn’t really have been better for Ireland. During its genesis, Irish people were at [...] A friend of mine who has moved to London emailed me earlier in the week to ask for an explanation of the Lisbon Treaty. Given that Thursday is D-Day, I thought it might be worth sending on what I sent her. Even though I’m supporting the ‘Yes’ camp, I think it’s [...] Today’s poll results make for grim reading for supporters of the Lisbon Treaty, and for the Taoiseach. There is a definite feeling on the ground that the referendum is in mortal peril, and with only days to go, some serious questions need to be asked. Those voting ‘No’, seem to break into two camps: those who ideologically [...] Commissioner Kyprianou’s decision to ban imports of Brazilian beef is long overdue. It also highlights the contradictory stance of the EU up to now. In recent years, the EU has pursued an uncompromising food safety agenda. This has seen farm overheads soar, as well as the closure of many small abattoirs and the uncompetitive dominance of large [...] I’m generally in favour of liberalised trade and an end to protectionism. History has taught us that protected markets reduce efficiency and raise the prices consumers have to pay. However, liberal trade (or even fair trade for that matter) must be based on a level playing field, even if the levelling process is a function of [...] |
Tony O'Donnell is a Fine Gael member of Kildare County Council in the Kildare LEA. He is a 30 year old engineer living in Kildare Town. You can read more by clicking About Tony O'Donnell. |
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