Monday, April 14, 2008

Irish Government in EU Referendum Deception Furore

It seems that leopards can never change their spots. According to an article in today's Irish Daily Mail, the Irish government is planning an elaborate campaign of deception in the run-up to their referendum on the EU Constitution Lisbon Treaty.

The Government has hatched an elaborate plan to deceive voters over the forthcoming EU treaty referendum, the Irish Daily Mail can today reveal. A leaked email shows that ministers are planning a deliberate campaign of misinformation to ensure the treaty vote is passed when it is put to the public as required by the Constitution. The document also shows that the Government is considering a last-minute change in the date of the referendum - slated for June 12 - to catch out 'No' campaigners.

Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern has even been personally assured that the European Commission will 'tone down or delay' any announcements from Brussels 'that might be unhelpful'. Alarmingly, the email says that Ministers ruled out an October referendum, which would have been better procedurally, because they feared 'unhelpful developments during the French Presidency - particularly related to EU defence'.

This suggestion will raise grave fears that the State's constitutional commitment to military neutrality could be undermined by the Lisbon treaty - a rehashed version of the failed EU Constitution. The memo was sent to the British Government by Elizabeth Green, a senior UK diplomat in Dublin, following a briefing from Dan Mulhall, a top official in the Department of Foreign affairs. Its aim was to relay to her political masters in London the lengths to which the Irish government was going to ensure a "yes' vote in the referndum. Ireland is the only EU state which is allowing voters a say on the treaty, and European heads of state are terrified that they will reject the treaty.

Campaigners say that the new treaty could remove Ireland's powers to decide its own tax rates and social policies. However the most controversial aspect from an Irish point of view is the likelihood that the treaty will be used to advance the concept of a 'European army', which would violate the principle of neutrality which has been a foundation-stone of the State since its inception. France is particularly keen to advance the notion of an EU force, which critics fear could be ordered into action over Irish objections by a majority vote of EU heads of state.

Already concerns have been raised that the Irish peacekeeping force being sent to Chad could be compromised by French political and military objectives in the area. The leaked email admits that this is one of the issues which needs to be kept from Irish voters, saying that the possibility of the French speaking out on this issue meant the referndum could not be delayed until the
autumn.

'Mulhall said a date in October would have been easier from a procedural point of view. But the risk of unhelpful developments during the French Presidency - particularly related to EU defence - were just too great. Sarkozy was completely unpredictable.' The Irish official also worried that the latest World Trade Organisation talks, which have already aroused the fury of Irish farmers, could turn the voters against the new treaty. Farmers are suppliers are planning a one-day shutdown this week to protest at the tack taken by EU trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. The email said that Mulhall was concerned about 'a WTO deal based on agricultural concessions that could lead the powerful farming association to withdraw its support.'

However Irish ministers appear to be basing their hopes on the fact that the treaty cannot be read or understood by most voters - and that launching a snap referendum would stop them from doing so. 'Most people would not have time to study the text and would go with the politicians they tusted,' it says. And it points out that the Government plans to keep people from analysing the detail, saying the 'aim is to focus the campaign on overall benefits of the EU rather than the treaty itself.' It then explains the details of the referendum Bill, which it says was 'agreed following lengthy consultation with government lawyers and with the political parties' but which it admits is 'largely incomprehensible to the lay reader.'

The memo details plans to fool campaigners over the date, which has been widely touted as falling on June 12. The memo states: 'Irish have picked 29 May for voting but will delay an announcement to keep the no camp guessing... the Taoiseach and Ahern saw a slight advantage in keeping the no camp guessing.' And it adds that the EC was doing its best to keep any bad news from the Irish public. 'Mulhall said other partners - including the Commission - were playing a helpful, low-profile role. It said that during a trip to Dublin, Vice-President Margot Wallstrom 'had told Dermot Ahern that the Commission was willing to tone down or delay messages that might be unhelpful.' The leaked email also points out that most Irish media have been supine on the issue, saying: 'Mulhall remarked that the media had been relatively quiet on the ratification process so far. We would need to remain in close touch given the media crossover.'

I wonder what impact this will have on the Irish electorate.

46 comments:

Vindico said...

Frightening! I am not one to jump on conspiracy theories, but when the same message keeps being repeated time and time again, showing that the Euro-elite will subvert democracy and morality to achieve their objectives, it does make one wonder. Do we really want to be part of a political union?

Bert Rustle said...

Do you have a link to the original article?

Iain Dale said...

No, they don't appear to have a website. I was sent the article by one of their journalists.

Anonymous said...

No doubt you have informed Mr Fawkes of this. He loves a good conspiracy!

Anonymous said...

"It seems that leopards can never change their spots"...who needs the BNP when you have such overt racist twaddle as this. Sham on you Iain.

Iain Dale said...

Er, how so? How can saying the EU can never change its spots is at all racist? Jeez.

Anonymous said...

So that's misinformation coming from the Government, rather than the Daily Mail? Interesting....

Anonymous said...

Link to article can be found here:

http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?f=172&t=33911

Anonymous said...

From a journalists you say.

Oh in that case it must be true ....errrrrr

Anonymous said...

I am not sure where the "overt racist twaddle" comes in. The Anon who spouts this does not have a sufficient command of the language to point out the precise error of your ways.

Anyway, he called you a racist and implied you had BNP sympathies just for good measure. My oh my, they are losing the argument big time.

Prodicus said...

'EU vote fiddle'. You sound surprised, Iain.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous@2.24 ha ha brilliant! "Sham on you" indeed. Iain, come on, you know all criticism of or relating to the EU is, by definition, racist. A BNP membership card is being sent to you automatically - all just because of this post!

Anonymous said...

The level that pro-EU fanboys immediately sink to is laughable.

Not being in favour of the blatant organised rigging of their referendum equates to racism?

Tells you all you need to know about the EU and it's supporters.

Anonymous said...

According to Trixy
http://more-to-life-than-shoes.blogspot.com/
it's something to do with the British Embassy. And it's classified. Or is this a different email?

We need to see it, and spread the love a little.

Helen said...

Just one correction: the original document, now re-written into a longer one, named Lisbon Treaty, was not the EU Constitution but A Constitution for Europe. There is a difference, when you think about it.

Incidentally, people who say this story is completely untrue (and it is now coming from several sources in Ireland) should stop hiding behind an Anonymous monniker. Surely, you should be proclaiming proudly your names as supporters of the European Project. No? Really? I wonder why.

Anonymous said...

Erm, the Irish Daily Mail?

Scipio said...

Oh really - I am shocked and surprised! I thought that the Eu would act with its usual honesty and respect for democracy and allow this to be fair vote based on a fair understanding of the issues.

Quick - duck, here comes a flying pig!

Man in a Shed said...

When the people are deceived there can be little hope for democracy.

What our rulers forget is that the change of government in democracy is relatively painless. the alternative they are forcing will hurt a lot more.

Anonymous said...

A few points:

1) The WTO negotiations, whatever mad ideas Sarkozy gets on European Defence, the Chad operation and bad news from the commission has more or less nothing to do with the Lisbon Treaty. Is it a bad idea to attempt to debate the Lisbon Treaty on its merits, rather than have a campaign refuting nonsense which has nothing to do with the Treaty - e.g. the French proposals on a common corporation tax is a good example of this.

2) This was a memo from a British Embassy staffer back to the British Foreign Office. So, it ain't exactly from the horse's mouth.

3) The Daily Mail didn't publish the memo - I wonder why?

4) Dermot Ahern has said it is without foundation.

James Higham said...

they feared 'unhelpful developments during the French Presidency - particularly related to EU defence

Now this interests me greatly. Care to elaborate, Iain?

Anonymous said...

Paranoia? Jeez. Look, has it occurred to you that in 26 of the 27 EU nations pro-Europeanism might actually be in the ascendant?

Not because people are lied to, not because people are thick, not because the nasty EU monster makes them but because they believe European co-operation is in the common good and in their own interests and because no-one wants to be a cold little isolationist country not sharing the mutual benefit.

Evidently anti-Europeanism rools OK in the UK, as a given, but maybe not elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

Maybe I am naive, but whenever I hear this sort of thing I am still shocked. What is it about the EU that sends popular sovereignty out of the window?

If the next Tory government has a decent majority we really must go about taking our country back.

Better off out.

Anonymous said...

Im surprised everyone is so surprised. I live in N.I. and during the last 42 years the only person who told me the truth about anything in Irish politics was a small green man with a tall hat and all gordons gold. I later found out that he was lying.

Vienna Woods said...

Anonymous 6.41,

You may like to know that here in Austria a survey has also shown that most people would reject the EU Treaty given a chance. The argument is so strong that one region (Carinthia) are planning to go ahead with their own referendum, purely to demonstrate to the government that the majority want "out". It is exactly the same in Germany and we already know how France and Holland voted and were denied a further ballot. Most former West European citizens would reject the treaty given a proper chance, if only to throw out Shenegen and return to common sense. The only countries supporting the EU currently are bloody Luxumberg and Belgium and we all know why that is! The rest are the former Eastern Europeans (net recipients) and the other spongers, Portugal and Spain.

Anonymous said...

On a related point - does anyone think that the recent publicity about the value of sterling to the euro may presage a 'softening up' campaign..?

They will say, 'Yes, but this will not happen if the next time we are at 0.7 or even 0.6 euro to the pound, we lock into 'monetary union' ourselves, and we will never to suffer the ignominy of our currency losing value against the euro ever again'..

And before you know it we will have lost the Pound, and our ability to control our own interest rates and inflation target, for all eternity..

Anonymous said...

John

"The WTO negotiations, whatever mad ideas Sarkozy gets on European Defence, the Chad operation and bad news from the commission has more or less nothing to do with the Lisbon Treaty"

So you have swallowed the EU propaganda whole, then. Every one of those things is vitally tied in to the treaty. The treaty basically allows the EU supremacy in almost all areas of policy it decides to do so. What if those are defence?

The treaty requires utter trust in the EU. If it is not trusted in areas over which it already has authority, such as trade negotiations, then how can the Irish trust it with more power?

"... nothing to do with the Treaty - e.g. the French proposals on a common corporation tax is a good example of this"

Again that it a lie. Under the new treaty this could be forced on Ireland, or any other lone state by a majority vote.

Now try to actually argue your case, instead of blithely stating it as fact, or making snide innuendo, as is usual with EU supporters.

Anonymous said...

anon (why anonymous?) 18:41

"has it occurred to you that in 26 of the 27 EU nations pro-Europeanism might actually be in the ascendant?

Not because people are lied to ..."

We'd never know, because they refuse to ask. When they do ask and get an answer they don't like, they either ask again until they get the answer they want, or they just go ahead anyway.

We'd never know because people are lied to, all the time at every stage.

Surely if your hypothesis was true, then the EU would not lie, and the people would be asked. That is strong evidence that even the most europhilic people, at the top of the EU and European pro-EU governments don't believe your hypothesis. What basis do you then have for suggesting it?

Anonymous said...

PSJ said: "If the next Tory government has a decent majority we really must go about taking our country back."

Don't count on it if David Cameron's in charge. He's one of them. He's the one who declared himself "the heir to Blair" if you recall. And ordered the Tory MPs to give a standing ovation to most wicked, destructive prime minister Britain has ever endured.

Anonymous said...

Richard Dale said

Again that it a lie. Under the new treaty this could be forced on Ireland, or any other lone state by a majority vote.


See, that is what is called a lie.
Please, please highlight the part of the Lisbon Treaty which allows a majority vote on this area if this Treaty is passed?

Oh and if you are going to make the argument that this Treaty would allow some areas to be transferred to QMV. Please explain how that would be done.

And with the greatest of respect, I am participating in the debate where it matters - Ireland. I'd be happy to debate the issue with yourself online, except for the fact that I would be discussing facts to do with the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union and you appear to prefer to imagine things - ala the Corporation Tax malarkey.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what impact this will have on the Irish electorate.

Near Dublin town, with her eyes cast down
One morning as April flies
Down a boreen green came a ice cold Queen
And she smirked as she passed Eire by.

Oh, she looked so sweet from her icy feet
To her girly, Teuton hair
Such a coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there.

But from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No lies so obscene as the Teuton Queen's
That I met with her eyes cast down.

As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I said, says I, to a passerby
"Who's that hag with nut-brown hair!"

He smiled at me, and said uneasily,
"That's the 'gem' of the German crown.
She's Mrs Merkel
And she sure smirks well
But Irish freedom she'll not do down!

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
We're human bein's not Merkel's trampolines
And she'll not do our freedom down

We Irish travel a bit, but ne'er was hit
Since our roving career began
And Fair and square we'll not surrender there
To be Merkel's pension plan.

Ireland's not to let and no ruler yet
Did we meet with shawl or gown
So out Merkel goes, the faded rose
She can keep her German frown
.
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid we've seen like the sweet colleens
That we met in the County Down.

At the ballot fair we'll be surely there
And we'll dress in our Sunday clothes
But no sheep's eyes, or deludering lies
Will lead Ireland by the nose.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid we've seen like the FREE colleens
That we have in the County Down

Anonymous said...

John

The treaty allows the EU to command competence over wide areas. It is intentionally written to be almost unreadable* (more than one of the authors has said so, as have major European politicians). That has two effects - first reducing opposition as few people will read and understand it. Second it is somewhat ambiguous, and open to interpretation by federalist courts.

So no, I can't point to the words. However that is how those with more training in understanding such matters, who have read it and advised the politicians who oppose the treaty, report it. Those that wrote it, and senior members of the governments in the rest of Europe have said that it is, in effect, the same as the constitution that was rejected, which gave such power. I can only assume, since both sides agree, that they are correct.

Taxation is one of those competences that the EU could have take from nation states under the Constitution, so can under the treaty as well. So the corporation tax issue is relevant to the debate.

* Why do you think that is? Don't you agree that such dishonesty means the treaty should be rejected out of hand, until it is written to be readable and clearly understood?

Anonymous said...

Well on the EU Constitution thing, in February, Mr Stuart Bower, a United Kingdom Independence Party member challenged the UK government in a UK County Court on its failure to keep to its promise that there
would be a referendum on the EU Treaty.

He accused government ministers of breach of contract, but the court ruled that a manifesto (promise of a political party to the electorate) was a political, not legal act. As such, it could not be challenged in any court as it was a long-establish part of the English common law that political manifestos do not create legitimate expectations.

What this judgment means is that political parties have always had a free hand to lie to us to get our vote and once they are in there is no legal redress available to us if they did in fact lie to get in.

In times when our country is being committed to wars that the majority of us do not support and when more and more laws are being passed that seriously undermine our personal security, freedom and privacy, it is important that this legal principle giving immunity to politicians for their misdeeds is dis-established.

Generally, it is simply beyond the countenance of anyone thinking that we in Britain support democracy and freedom when those we elect in power are free to lie to us and do so on a frequent and grand scale, on what they will do, or won’t do with total immunity from any legal redress by those they made the promise to – us!

It is time now when all is crumbling around us due to the inefficiency and deception of politicians, for a change in the laws of our country to enable political manifestos to be regarded by the courts as promises to the electorate which can be redressed by legal action in our courts.

As such, my petition is that in the interests of justice, fairness and equity and for the protection of our personal and national security, we, the undersigned, the electorate of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland call for the courts of record of the United Kingdom to recognise, within their inherent powers, the right of the electorate to require political manifesto to be considered by our courts as legally enforceable promises to the electorate which can be redressed by legal action.

Anonymous said...

Poor Ireland... they too have a Daily Mail.

No link, No Source... Oh dear, total grassy knoll nonsense.

Ireland do grown up politics ( apart from Guido of course ) and will ratify the Treaty by a huge majority.

Barking up the wrong tree as ever Iain, just like backing Howard in Oz, claiming imminent arrests over cash for questions, dodgy dossier nonsense, and MP expenses conspiracy drivel. Elvis is alive an living at Tory HQ

Anonymous said...

Who do you think you are kidding, Mrs Merkel?
If you think we're on the run,
We are the ones who will stop your little game.
We are the ones who will make you think again.
'Cus who do you think you are kidding, Mrs Merkel?
If you think old Ireland's's done?

Anonymous said...

She's having a laugh, isn't she? Come on, Ireland, let's wipe the smirk off of Merkel's face!

Vote NO!

Anonymous said...

Free Europe? Vote YES or NO at www.FreeEurope.info

Anonymous said...

Alarmingly, the email says that Ministers ruled out an October referendum, which would have been better procedurally,

Historically referendums and elections are held in Ireland during the summer months. it would have been usual to have it in october

Roger Thornhill said...

The EU is like a room of 27 people in an Antarctic research station and only Ireland is planning on having its blood tested.

We are all strapped to the couch for the winter. Any moment Sarko or Merkel or whoever will kick off and we will see us all consumed by the alien beast collective.

Anonymous said...

Colleen at 12.24am summed up your contributors perfectly Iain. A bunch of sub-Pam Ayres little Englanders who watch Dad's Army, Allo Allo and Love Thy Neighbour.

Star of the County Down? If the Colleen lives there, I'm sorry for her neighbours.

Anonymous said...

What a surprise, the government realises they are going to lose so rigs the election - bit like Zimbabwe!

Anonymous said...

The euro-twats can only win by lying, cheating and deceiving? Who would have thought?

Anonymous said...

Quelle surprise - they are desperate to get this through so they want to mess with the date - not tell the whole truth and keep things sweet. It's hardly a novel idea on behalf of BIFFO's government is it? Would any of us be surprised by deception on the part of any government??????

Coleen I love your songs! Simply brilliant.

Anonymous said...

Simon Foster said...
Colleen at 12.24am...A bunch of sub-Pam Ayres little Englanders who watch Dad's Army, Allo Allo and Love Thy Neighbour.

Star of the County Down? If the Colleen lives there, I'm sorry for her neighbours



I do not watch TV, Simon Foster. So shut yer gob.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Typhoo!

Anonymous said...

Run, Ireland!
Run, Ireland,
Run, run, run!

Don't give old Merkel
Her fun, fun, fun!
She'll drown you
In her federal EU stew, so

Run, Ireland!
Run, Ireland,
Run, run, run!


If you don't know, VOTE NO!

Anonymous said...

She can't hide her lyin' eyes
And her smile is a thin disguise
You'd think by now she'd realize
There ain't no way to hide her lyin eyes

She's the girl who had to find out early
How to manipulate with just a smile
She schemed and dreamed
So she wouldn't have to worry
She'd dress up all in lace and go in style

But late at night her riches leave her lonely
I guess ev'ry form of substitute turns sour
And it chills her heart, she knows her life is only
Emptyness and lusting after power

And, every day she needs another fix, babe
Hot as blood to warm her ice cold heart
More power and a bigger buzz she's cravin'
So what if it means tearing lives apart?

She can't hide her lyin' eyes
And her smile is a thin disguise
You'd think by now she'd realize
There ain't no way to hide her lyin eyes

Three hundred miles away there lies an island
With fiery eyes and dreams no one can steal
She flies on through the night anticipating
Perhaps a conquest there will make life real?

My, oh my, she sure knows how to arrange things
She sets it up so well, so carefully
But ain't it funny how her new life doesn't change things?
She's still the empty soul she used to be.

She can't hide her lyin' eyes
And her smile is a thin disguise
You'd think by now she'd realize
There ain't no way to hide her lyin eyes


Apologies to the Eagles' Lyin Eyes.