Sir,

Why is Ireland the only country in the EU to get a vote on the Lisbon treaty?

Ireland is the most democratic country in the E U entitled to a vote because of our strong constitution set up in 1937. All matters of law were carefully enshrined in our constitution meaning that we can alter this only if a majority votes to do so.

Our centuries old struggle for freedom has given the Irish a value for true democracy which has resulted in our constitution being copied by other emerging democracies.

In all the major decisions made over the years it has been the people who have decided - for example in the divorce referendum and changes to facilitate the Good Friday Agreement. Ironically if we say yes to Lisbon we will be signing away that very democracy which has given us the right to vote in the first place.

This is because under Lisbon we firstly become citizens of a New European Union owing obedience to its laws over and above our loyalty and obedience to the Irish constitution (-the wording is available at any post office). We would be handing over authority to make laws in many new areas such as public services, crime, justice and policing, immigration, energy, transport, tourism, sport, culture, public health and the EU budget. Since Lisbon is a self amending treaty we have no idea what further changes will be introduced as time goes by about which we will have no further say.

Our leaders looked to get guarantees for us in what they said they identified as sensitive areas - most of which are contained in the Charter of Fundamental Rights annexed to the treaty. This charter which can change over time could in future conflict with our constitution in areas such as abortion and euthanasia. As we are all very well aware these guarantees mean nothing as they are just promises by politicians and are not written into the treaty. If they really wanted to do something meaningful they could have chosen to opt out of the Charter of Fundamental rights (most of which we have already under Irish law) and continue to make our own law in this area. Poland and Britain have opted out of this charter.

There are huge concerns about lack of democracy and transparency in the EU, politicians who have their own agendas: e.g. depriving nations of a vote by renaming it a treaty instead of a constitution after France and Netherlands said No, the black hole which is the EU finances (they haven't been able to audit the books in more than 10 years and we will now be expected to pay an EU tax into this! - Article 311) and the fact that this treaty turns Europe effectively into a federal or super state which the EU doesn't need to be to function in spite of what we are told. The new EU would allow leaders to make laws and decisions with little or no accountability to its citizens.

This is without doubt the most important referendum which the Irish people have been asked to vote on (twice). Due to our high level of democracy we have more to lose than most countries in Europe and we get to decide if this is the step Europe should take.

Therefore we owe it to ourselves and future generations and the 500milllion citizens of Europe denied a vote to study all the issues carefully and vote No for the sake of Ireland and Europe. Carmel Tiernan. Kilmacowen, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo.