The Issues

The Treaty proposes to amend, but not replace, the two main treaties which govern the EU, namely:
• the Treaty Establishing the European Community (the EC Treaty);
• the Treaty on European Union (the Maastricht Treaty).
The Treaty would also change the name of the EC Treaty to the “Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union”.

How the EU got this far
A brief history of the EU and its predecessers.
MORE...

New values, principles, objectives and competences
The treaty gives legal effect to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which sets out the whole range of civil, political, economic and social rights of European citizens and all persons resident in the EU.
MORE...

Institutional change, sovereignty and democracy
 From 2014, the number of commissioners will be reduced. Appointments will be made on a system of equal rotation so Ireland will appoint a commissioner in two out of every three commissions from 2014 onwards.
MORE...

The foreign affairs provisions of the treaty
 Lisbon creates the post of president of the European Council, who will chair the European Council and represent the EU on foreign and security issues.
MORE...


Security and defence policy
 The importance of common defence is reflected in a change of title to "Common Security and Defence Policy" from today's "European Security and Defence Policy".
MORE...


Corporation Tax
 Lisbon retains Ireland's veto over new EU direct taxation proposals. This means the Government cannot be forced to accept any measures either harmonising EU corporate tax rates or establishing a common corporate tax base
MORE...


Services
 Lisbon boosts EU influence in the area of services of general economic interest such as electricity and telecoms by providing a legal base to introduce framework legislation.
MORE...


Justice
 EU states lose their veto to block legislation on police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters; legal migration and integration of third-country nationals; measures dealing with those non- EU nationals subject to visa requirements and rules on uniform format for visas
MORE...


The likely consequences of rejection
 The Lisbon Treaty could not be implemented and the current decision-making structures agreed under the Nice treaty in 2001 would continue to apply.
MORE...

Advertisement