Sir, - I have been a little disappointed at how the women's movement is absenting itself from the debate on the Treaty of Nice, considering how membership of the European Union has helped to improve the lot of women in Ireland. While the original Treaty of Rome, setting up the Common Market, had only one article concerning women, which provided for equal pay for equal work, the intervening 44 years have seen the European Union develop a range of action programmes that considerably improved women's rights across the spectrum. In turn, this ensured that the status of women in Ireland and their access to opportunity was considerably enhanced.
By any yardstick, the legislation introduced by the EU has helped to improve both the living and working standards of women in Ireland and throughout the Union. Indeed, much legislation advancing women's rights has been introduced at an earlier stage than might have been expected, due to the existence of EU policies, regulations and directives benefiting women. As EU directives were implemented into national laws, policies for equality of opportunity became a permanent feature of the political agenda in Ireland. I believe that women face a challenge next Thursday. We can put on blinkers and vote to try and confine the Union to the current 15 member-states. Alternatively, we can do what is good for Ireland and good for the women of Europe by voting to ratify the Treaty of Nice to ensure that the women of the applicant states benefit in the same way as their neighbouring sisters. - Is mise,
Cllr Niamh Bhreathnach, Anglesea Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.