Better deal on EU 'impossible'
Wednesday June 04 2008
KEY aspects of the Lisbon Treaty would be axed if it had to be renegotiated today with the newer, more conservative countries, a Labour MEP said yesterday.
Labour's Proinsias De Rossa further claimed the European Union should not be viewed as a "conspiracy", but recognised for its success in implementing initiatives which would never be achieved at local level. He also conceded that the treaty text included 95pc of the defeated European Constitution.
"What we have here now is Plan B. It seems to me that it makes entire common sense to recognise the political reality in the European Union.
"When we started this process in 2001, there were 11 social democratic governments in power out of 15 EU member states. There are now 17 centre right governments out of 27.
"It is entirely politically naive to argue that you can reject Lisbon and get a better deal for working people out of a completely changed scenario. It's not possible."
The Labour MEP said there was "no way" Italian President Silvio Berlusconi would allow increased provision for workers if there was a renegotiation of the treaty.
Lucky
"We would be lucky to hold on to the social provisions already negotiated if there was a renegotiation, so it is irresponsible of those, who know better. Some of those who are calling for renegotiation do know better," he said.
"It's irresponsible of them to urge the Irish people to reject what is a very good proposal for the future."
