Forty contributions by prominent Irish campaigners for and against the Nice Treaty are made available in an accessible and user-friendly format in a book published yesterday by the Patrick MacGill Summer School.
Edited by the school's director, Mr Joe Mulholland, the book, Nice - Yes or No?, contains the proceedings of the school last July. The theme was "Ireland and Europe 1972-2002 - Where do we go from here?"
In addition to the contributions, it contains a short guide to the treaty, by Mr Noel Dorr, former Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs. There are sections on the structure and development of the EU and brief information profiles of each of the candidate states negotiating to join it.
In his contribution, Mr Pat Cox, president of the European Parliament, argues that in joining the EEC in 1973 Ireland replaced old isolationism with a new and intelligent interdependence which multiplied Ireland's influence.
He regards the decision to join as Ireland's second declaration of independence in the 20th century. A second No vote would plunge Europe into grave uncertainty and potential crisis. It would be against Ireland's own national interest.
Other contributors supporting a Yes vote include Dr Garret FitzGerald, Mr Turlough O'Sullivan, president of IBEC, and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell.
Arguing against the Nice Treaty, Ms Patricia McKenna MEP says the EU is a rich man's club for big business, in which multinationals have more control over policy-making than ordinary people. She says EU defence is really about offence against the poorer countries.
Other contributors arguing for a No vote include Mr Dan Boyle TD, Mr Anthony Coughlan and Mr Aengus O Snodaigh TD.
The book, launched by Pat Kenny at the Westin Hotel, Dublin, is on sale at €10.
