BIG: THANK YOU IRELAND ! (80)

cristina: I just wonder in what will it affect you? What's your cause?

For some people, certaily for artists, living in Italy must be wonderful. So musical, so romantic, so wonderful sitting in front of the sea, drawing and having happy people around them. I woundn't live in Italy for various reasons, mainly because the system is too relaxed and timely unpredictable to my taste. And you, why are so angry about this? Will you do something now that they've corrupted you?

ghost007: So people dont know what they voted for ...so did they know the first time round....and do you know the details of the lisbon treaty....its time the british got over themselves first they did not want to join the eec and set up efta and then when the eec was way more successful then efta they begged to come in and rejected twice before they got in and then did nothing but complain once in .......qu vadis the UK?......a sterling which is no longer a reserve currency and was in free fall....it is now loosing its permanent seat on the IMF and there is talk of a new G4 which the uk will not be part of........!!!!!!!! so maybe the irish have got it right .....look at it this way arent you happy as an irish person that ireland is part of the eurozone today !!!!!!

Jan1305: I remain optimistic about the future of Europe, and over 67% of voters in Ireland clearly feel the same.

Perhaps this time around the voters were more educated about the complex issues in the Treaty, and realised that it is fundamentally about reform, enabling the machinations of Europe to work more efficiently and democratically.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights, requiring all EU law to be compliant with human rights law, is for me one of the most important things in the Treaty. This will extend the rights of EU citizens in so many areas such as education, freedom of thought, equality before the law, and workers rights such as the collective bargaining and collective action.

Ireland has benefited enormously from its EU membership, and is viewed as a model to other more recent member countries, who hope they too will benefit in the same way.

cristina: Check the link I've supplied. It is really laughable in combination with your post.

ghost007: So people dont know what they voted for ...so did they know the first time round....and do you know the details of the lisbon treaty....its time the british got over themselves first they did not want to join the eec and set up efta and then when the eec was way more successful then efta they begged to come in and rejected twice before they got in and then did nothing but complain once in .......qu vadis the UK?......a sterling which is no longer a reserve currency and was in free fall....it is now loosing its permanent seat on the IMF and there is talk of a new G4 which the uk will not be part of........!!!!!!!! so maybe the irish have got it right .....look at it this way arent you happy as an irish person that ireland is part of the eurozone today !!!!!!

cristina: I mean...your post has good points

cristina: But, we need to know that the way is to deferation, hence, relinquishing sovereighty on certain fields, yes. Necessary to construct an European identity, right?
Those strongly against, please go to Brussels and scream, NO to more power. Do it consistent and persistantly.
There might be a Constituion disguised in a "Bill of Rights" on the way. Be careful!

Phoenix: I don't believe they knew what they voted against the first time...
To understand Lisbon 2...you need to read at least 2 treaties (Treaty of Maastricht and the Treaty of Nice)..because they cross reference each other..

I'm all for closer working relationships with other European countries but not at any price.

And as for the G4..thats basically...Russia, India, China and Brazil..The fastest growing economies around..Who in a few years will eclipse the EU...They have a younger population with more natural resources..

The reason (main one) why the British pound went into free fall( and also why the UK is still in recession) is two fold..one the UK economy is basically credit based..(people borrowing money they haven't got) and also the next undemocraticaly President of Eurpore TonyLiar Blair...sold of the gold reserves..

As for Ireland in the Euro zone...only 2/3rds of the country is..And the YES campagin out spent the No camp by 10 euros to 1...Why because the Irish goverment have deeper pockets...