Statements on the Constitution of Europe - 18th May 2005

Statements on the Constitution for Europe
18th May 2005
Mr. Norris: I thank the Cathaoirleach for reminding me that I am speaking about the European constitution. This afternoon represents an exercise very largely in historical blather. We have all this stuff about the war and so on. Does anybody suggest that if the treaty fails, which I believe is very likely, we would all be back to war again? I do not think so.
Ms O'Rourke: The chief blatherer.
Mr. Norris: It seems as if that is going down a very dangerous and speculative road. We have also heard, probably correctly, that Europe will not interfere through its courts and through policy direction in what are regarded coyly in this country as moral matters and that Europe will not give central direction on issues like abortion, divorce, etc. While that is true, I point out that in the early days in a very undemocratic way a small unrepresentative group in this country got a protocol about abortion in an EU treaty without reference to either House of the Oireachtas or the people. That was not a particularly democratic move. I believe there is a democratic deficit, which I believe will continue under this new treaty. It has been acknowledged that a certain level of decision making is being removed from the people and transferred to the Oireachtas under these provisions.
An esteemed former colleague, Mr. Crowley, MEP, is present. I was rather taken aback when I noticed that he and his party colleagues supported Mr. Buttiglioni. This refers to the European Union and I will say it.
An Cathaoirleach: I would not agree. The Senator should speak on the European constitution.
Mr. Norris: That is what I am doing. I am talking about the democratic deficit and I will continue to do so. Mr. Buttiglioni campaigned and voted on equality issues. I suggest to Mr. Crowley, MEP, that if he had campaigned and voted on the rights of people in wheelchairs in the same way he would have been very quick to get him off any committee that dealt with that area. However, I believe it is quite possible we will be let off the hook. Despite the superb work done in negotiating the treaty, for which I pay full tribute to the Taoiseach and the diplomatic staff involved, it looks very likely that France may vote down the treaty. According to the polls, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and Britain may do the same, in which case we would not face into a referendum here.
I understand people have suggested that this treaty is only an exercise in consolidation. While that is very largely true - perhaps 95% true - I wish we had heard more from the Minister, Deputy Roche, and others about the 5% that is new. I have always been concerned about the incremental nature of these treaties and our involvement in processes that will disturb our neutrality, which I still cherish, such as our involvement with the Western European Union armament group.
Other matters also concern me regarding negotiations from the Vatican. I have material from Catholics for a Free Choice. This does not represent a sectarian position. These are Catholics of conscience warning about the negotiations-----
Mr. Lydon: They are not Catholics. They are not members of the church.
An Cathaoirleach: I ask Senator Lydon to allow Senator Norris to speak.
Mr. Norris: ----- under which special provisions are being made for the church, including the kinds of shameful provisions that were made in this country to exempt religious institutions from the operation of the equality legislation. What kind of Christianity is it if we have the major Christian churches exempting themselves from equality-----
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator should confine himself to debate on the European constitution.
Mr. Norris: That is exactly what I am doing.
An Cathaoirleach: I would not think so.
Mr. Norris: I am astonished that the Cathaoirleach could find that I am not. I am talking about the impact of lobbying on the constitution. I could not be more centrally directed or more focused. For the information of the Cathaoirleach, I am talking about paragraph 1 of section 52 of the treaty. Does that satisfy his requirements?
An Cathaoirleach: Probably.
Mr. Norris: The church has acquired consultative status, which provides for the Catholic Church to be consulted in the pre-drafting stage of legislation when it is believed it would have an interest. People are right to feel concerned about the issue. I very much hope that this aspect at least will not be confirmed in the treaty.
I am divided on the treaty. I was against earlier treaties because of their military aspect. However, the neo-conservative lobby is against this treaty because it fears a balance that a stronger Europe would give. The evil empire, which has sprung up under President Bush, violates every possible aspect of human rights and undermines democracy anywhere it springs up in its own backyard. While the Americans are quite happy to foster it in Russia's backyard, they do not like it anywhere near themselves. This worries me and it represents the best possible reason for having a strong European entity.