Sir, - Many people during the referendum campaign stressed the importance of the Nice Treaty to the enlargement process. Since the outcome of the referendum, commentators across Europe are reading the No vote as an unwillingness of the Irish people to share the economic benefits of membership of the European Union with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This interpretation, if unchallenged, will have serious negative implications for the future relationship between Ireland and the countries seeking membership of the European Union.
It is a fact that despite all the concern for enlargement expressed by Irish and EU leaders in the run-up to the referendum, that a type of "second-class" membership is being offered to the applicant countries. This "second-class" membership is offered in the form of a transition period of up to seven years. During this time the applicant countries will be denied the same rights as the other members of the European Union.
It is now time for the Irish Government to take a principled approach to our participation in the European Union. Part of this principled approach should be to lead the campaign for an equality of participation for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the European Union. This type of confidence-building measure gives the opportunity to ensure a message of solidarity goes from Ireland to the people in the applicant countries. - Yours, etc.,
Fintan Farrell, European Anti-Poverty Network, Eustace Street, Dublin 2.