German Constitutional Court, ratification of Lisbon Treaty The German Constitutional Court cleared the way for German ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, subject to legislation being adopted requiring parliamentary approval of EU decisions which affect core German state competences.  The government plans to present the necessary bill for a first reading in August and a [...]

Faites vos jeux!  Who will be the four bastions of the Union’s future when the Lisbon Treaty comes into force?     Commission                Barroso? Parliament                  Buzek? European Council         Blair? ‘Foreign Minister’         Bildt?   The odds are shortening on the four Bs. 

Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Brian Cowen has re-confirmed that the ‘guarantees’ promised by EU leaders at the December summit  “must be legally robust in order to reassure the public about the treaty”. He said: “Whilst I respect the fact that other member states do not wish to re-ratify the Lisbon Treaty, I made it clear [...]

The following letter has just been published in the European Voice:   The European Voice editorial ‘Next Commission president must be appointed in June’ (19-25 March) refers to “the centre-right governments , which are likely to have a majority of MEPs in the next European Parliament and therefore to appoint the next European Commission president.” [...]

The Irish Cabinet discussed this week whether to bring forward the date of the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty to 5 June – the same day as the local and European elections. Taoiseach Brian Cowen has previously indicated that the referendum will be held in October.   There are pros and cons of advancing [...]

The Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty is causing headaches and disagreement between institutions.  These centre on the appointment of the Commission president and the composition of the college and the number of MEPs.   The new Commission should take office on 1 November.  The European Parliament (EP) elections are between 4 and 7 June.  [...]

  In a debate on French TV, President Sarkozy said the UK’s VAT cut had “absolutely not worked“.  “Britain is cutting taxes. That will bring them nothing. Consumption continues to decrease,” he said.   The British Prime Minister’s spokesperson, when asked about this, said:    “The Elysee [Palace] have been in contact this morning to [...]

The Presidency conclusions of the Brussels, 11-12 December meeting states that Ireland would hold a second referendum before the end of the present Commission’s mandate provided that, first the Commission shall continue to include one national of each Member State, and second, the necessary legal guarantees will be given on three points. • Nothing in [...]

 According to Oscar Wilde, wisdom comes with winters.  I believe it essential that the Lisbon Treaty ratification process be decided before the June Parliamentary elections and not wait until next October.  Winter begins some 10 days after the December summit on 11-12 and that’s where and when a decision must be taken.The Irish government and [...]