In our head to head on the Lisbon Treaty, below Eric Keane of Young Fine Gael calls for a Yes vote in the upcoming Irish referendum, while John Mc Guirk of Libertas argues below for a No vote here.

Young Fine Gael believes people should support this treaty not solely
because of the benefits Europe has provided us in the past, but because
of the increased potential it offers today’s young people and future
generations to come.

The No side have again reverted to the tactic of spreading fear, the
same fear that has failed to materialise on each occasion since 1973,
when Ireland joined the EEC.

A large bulk of the treaty deals with the institutional reform needed
to accommodate an expanded Europe of 27 member-states. This involves
capping the number of MEPs and Commissioners. Many on the No side
lament over the fact that Ireland will be losing a Commissioner for
five out of every fifteen years. Yes we will, as will France, Germany,
the UK and every other member-state.

There just are not enough portfolios for twenty seven Commissioners. To
create a Commission of that size is nothing less than creating “jobs
for the boys” which we believe would add unnecessary layers of
bureaucracy and breed inefficiency.

The treaty also rules out the introduction of a harmonised tax system without complete member state unanimity. 

One of the major criticisms of the EU is that it fails to connect with
the citizens of Europe; that it does not connect with the people. For
the first time, this treaty allows, through the Citizens Initiative,
the opportunity for the people of Europe to petition the EU on any
issue.

All that is needed is one million signatures. In a Europe of half a
billion people, and in the world of the internet, this could easily be
done. When the Commission receives the petition it is bound by the
treaty to draft a directive.

Also our elected MEPs get a larger say on all matters, as does the
Oireachtas, which can in effect give the Commission a yellow card if it
does not agree with any element of a directive.

The treaty also gives legal status to the Charter of Fundamental Rights
which provides people with legal and enforceable rights.

The single largest threat facing not alone the people of Europe, but
the world, is climate change and with that energy security. The treaty
makes a specific reference to the need for Europe to tackle Climate
Change both in Europe and world wide.

While the EU has set challenging targets for member-states in reducing
their carbon emissions, reaching those targets will have little effect
unless other polluting nations are brought in the same direction. 

The treaty provides the EU with the authority to speak with a common
voice, the voice of nearly half a billion people, giving the EU the
influence to speak to the world on this issue.

Ireland stands at the end of a large pipeline that caresses all through Europe before eventually servicing our needs.

The future spells a time where there will be increased competition for
energy. The treaty will allow the EU, with approval from member-states,
to speak with one voice in negotiating with energy producing countries
where Ireland currently sources nearly 90 percent of our energy. This
is little value in Ireland standing alone on this issue. 

As I said, we are urging a Yes vote not only based on the past, but on
the benefits that this treaty provides us and future generations.

The treaty provides us with a more democratic and efficient Europe, a
Europe that focuses on issues such as climate change, the further
creation of jobs, and above all else, a Europe that reflects the needs
of its people.

- Eric Keane, director of policy with Young Fine Gael

MORE: Lisbon Treaty head to head: No
MORE: Majority of students in dark over EU treaty