TERRY O'REGAN,
Sir, - The debate about the Nice referendum has been reduced by both sides to a competition based on arousing the most primitive of our emotions - that of ignorant fear.
The No advocates imply that by voting Yes we will find ourselves dragged unwillingly into war with an as yet unknown enemy. The image of body bags coming home for burial is intended to scare parents.
The suggestion of a growing "democracy deficit" in Europe is intended to sway the younger, perhaps more idealistic, section of the population.
Murmurings about ease of access for the East European workforce to our jobs may well sway another sector.
On the other hand, we have the Government, in school playground mode, threatening us with some vague boycott by our fellow Europeans if we persist in not playing the game by their rules, or at least the rules as cobbled together in Nice.
There is a suggestion that one must party in turn in Europe as we have had our party, it would be churlish of us to deny others, who have viewed our partying possibly with some degree of envy as they await their turn.
I was a somewhat reluctant Yes voter in the first Nice referendum and I will have some misgivings as I vote Yes again later this year, not so much because I do not like certain trends in the evolution of the European Union, but rather because I do not believe that our Government is willing to fully commit to engaging in an integrated and energetic manner with our partners in Europe to address the dangers of a democratic deficit and centralised bureaucracy.
We may be committed to a united Europe when our economic interests are at stake; but we are very suspect when the benefits are less obvious and more universally applicable.
I would suggest that the uncomfortable stance of the Government with regard to the issues raised by the referendum has a lot to do with the growing democratic deficit and centralised bureaucracy here in Ireland as well as the blatant lack of accountability.
The European Union after Nice will, I believe, be a marginally better Union - marginally, because the benefits that the admission of the applicant countries will bring by way of diversity, energy and fresh cultural influences, and crucially the further reduction of the likelihood of war and suffering, will be offset by the petty manoeuvring of the current members to manipulate future control.
We have work to do to address the concerns that lead to a responsible Irish electorate sending a wake-up call to the complacent European Commission and the other governments whose representatives have also issued utterances rather dangerously and petulantly playing on fear rather than sound reason.
To validate the holding of a referendum this year I would suggest, even at this late stage, that the text of the referendum be broken up into separate freestanding sections. This would facilitate independent assessment of each aspect by an electorate that, with the exception of those that sheepishly follow the party line, is astute and responsible.
I would further suggest that the Government commit itself to advocating the concept of regional commissioners in addition to the existing commissioners to resolve the concerns about the ridiculous revolving commissioners currently proposed. Such a proposal would, I believe, win support from many nations and would be a very appropriate initiative for Ireland in view of our history and geography.
The Government should commit itself wholeheartedly to working with our European neighbours for a united Europe which recognises the independence of thought and diversity of culture of its member nations as valuable strengths rather than irritating or even dangerous threats.
Finally, I believe that we can with difficulty adopt a neutral stance internationally, but we do need clear set of rules in writing, possibly in the Constitution, to guide government actions in crisis situations. However, we must never again find ourselves standing idly by as we witness the likes of the siege of Sarajevo. Time and again during the Balkan tragedy, as a civilised union of nations we were found seriously wanting. It must not happen gain. - Yours, etc.
TERRY O'REGAN,
Maple Lawn,
Muskerry Estate,
Ballincollig,
Co Cork.
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Sir, - Why was the Irishman asked to vote again on the same treaty? To be sure, to be sure. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN McCARTHY,
Emerson Avenue,
Salthill,
Co Galway.