Madam, - Eoin Ó Broin (October 25th) says that "all but 10 of the 250 or so articles of the new European Treaty are the same as its predecessor, a 96 percent match".
So what? This (incorrect) quote is a straight lift from Open Europe, the UK website of Eurosceptic business people, and is a pointless exercise. Humans and mice share 90 per cent of their DNA in common, but even Mr Ó Broin might agree the 10 per cent difference is exceptionally important.
Mr Ó Broin, of course, is attempting to set up a false debate. The Irish people will be asked to approve a reform treaty completed in Lisbon, not the now defunct European Constitution. The choice is whether we stick with the current treaties or the new treaty.
I am supporting the new "Lisbon Treaty". Compared with what we now have, it will make the EU more democratic, give more powers to TDs and MEPs, give European citizens more legally binding rights (except, unfortunately, British and Polish citizens), provide a basis for dealing with climate change, tackle poverty and defend public services in the member-states.
What Mr Ó Broin needs to explain is why he and Sinn Féin are so keen to deny Irish citizens these very real advantages. - Yours, etc,
PROINSIAS DE ROSSA MEP, Labour European Office, Dublin 1.