If anything changes to get the Irish to vote 'yes' to lisbon, surely everyone will have to re-ratify?

Question

If anything changes to get the Irish to vote 'yes' to lisbon, surely everyone will have to re-ratify?

Answer 1

They wont, but then to be honest it is somewhat undemocratic of the major papers to have such an nuts vendetta against the treaty. If they had legitimate academic grievances their anti-EU stance might be understandable, but they have none, as is shown by the way they resort to lies and distortions about the EU in order to make their point.

For example, Irish newspapers claimed that ratification of the treaty would force Ireland to legalise abortion (not true), amongst all the other more well known Euro-myths such as straight bananas, ban on prawn cocktail crisps etc.

When people get the facts about the EU, or learn about what it actually is/does, they are generally in favour.

Answer 2

Yes.  Welcome to the massive consensus problem that holds Europe back.  Any country can block all the others from moving forwards.

This is why there have occasionally been movements that advocated for a "two-speed Europe" whereby France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and a few other countries would forge ahead with the European project and let the others carry on at their own, slower pace.  But that's never been done (except with the Euro and Shengen agreements) because the whole point of the European Union is to bring everyone forwards together.

The bigger the union gets, the more difficult this problem becomes.

Answer 3

I agree with the others here - they will push it through somehow - even if it is wrong and undemocratic.

Answer 4

Yes, you are right there as per the rules. But then the EU eurocrats including Gordon Brown won’t allow such (major) technicality get in their way. We have a bunch of people in Europe who have their sights set upon some cushy well paid unelected jobs and will do anything to get there including setting aside the law of the land.

Answer 5

Yes, this is the theory, but international politics don't necessarily follow logic.

The politicians in the EU (the well-paid ones, that is) want all the countries to adopt the Lisbon treaty and whatever we think or say, they will go ahead and get it somehow.