The Irish vote

Ireland is the only nation in the EU that was privileged (as stipulated by their Constitution) to vote 'for' or 'against' the Lisbon Treaty.

Malta did not have this option, even on such an important issue - our representatives voted on our behalf. This also applies to the other member states.

Ireland had in fact already voted on this issue some months earlier and the majority had voted against the new treaty.

Yet, the EU did not take no for an answer, and gave the Irish another chance to vote in favour.

To ensure that the Irish would vote 'yes', the EU made special concessions to the nation - they promised to assist them in the current turmoil of the global recession and threatened that if the answer was no, then none or limited assistance would be provided.

The Irish were once again divided into the 'no' and 'yes' camps.

As a country with a history of religious and political infighting, they were once again forced into another internal divide.

After all is said and done, it is obvious that the so-called Lisbon Treaty is nothing more than a modification of its predecessor - the European Constitution, which had been rejected by the majority of the people of France and Holland (and it may have been rejected by the British and other nations if they were allowed to vote on it). In spite of the Irish recently voting in favour, the treaty cannot be considered as one by, from and for European citizens, but a treaty by EU bureaucrats for EU politicians.