The Lisbon Treaty

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Last Updated: 17/03/2008 11:41
Business group backs Lisbon Treaty

Business body Ibec today became the latest group to back the Lisbon Treaty claiming a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum would boost the economy and create jobs.
The organisation, which represents 7,000 employers nationwide, said it would also attract investment and protect the country's business interests.
It comes just days after anti-treaty group Libertas claimed if the document was ratified it would create inequality among EU member states and damage the economy.
"The treaty will ensure that key national interests are protected," said Ibec's Director of EU and International Affairs Brendan Butler. "Our ability to set our own tax policy is guaranteed along with arrangements concerning foreign direct investment.
"This means that Ireland will remain among one of the most attractive places in the world to invest.
"Each previous treaty has created new opportunities for Irish business and has helped create more jobs. This treaty will do the same," he said.
Mr Butler said a yes vote would secure Ireland's place in Europe. In the coming weeks Ibec will launch a major campaign setting out why people should support the treaty.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last week announced the Lisbon referendum would be held in the second week of June.
A day later anti-treaty group Libertas unveiled its 'No' campaign and argued a vote in favour of the treaty was a vote against the founding principles of the EU.
It argues that if ratified Ireland's voting power would be weakened while states like France and Germany would be boosted.

Source: 2008 ireland.com

Last Updated: 06/03/2008 16:54
Government publishes Lisbon Treaty Bill
Elaine Edwards
The Government has published the Bill amending the Constitution to adopt the Lisbon Treaty that will be put to the vote in a referendum.
The Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 will enable the State to ratify the Reform Treaty signed in December last. No date has yet been set for the referendum, but Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has indicated it is likely to be held in the last week of May or the first week of June.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley also today established a Referendum Commission to provide information to the public about the treaty.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today the Dáil will begin to debate the bill "immediately after" the Dáil returns from its Easter recess. Mr Ahern said the Oireachtas could extend the period of debate if necessary but he expected the referendum to be in late May or early June.
The EU treaty will give the bloc a long-term president, a more powerful foreign policy chief and more democratic decision-making, and more say to European and national parliaments. It replaces the constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Mr Ahern said he had "great faith in the Irish people" backing a "yes" vote despite the treaty being a "difficult document" to understand for some.
"When they see that virtually all of the political parties in the Republic, all of the trade unions, all of the employers, all of the other social partners are very much in favour of it ... I think they will take their lead from that," he said. It is clear from all polling on the Treaty to date, that the more information that people have, the more likely that they will vote Yes Lucinda Creighton, Fine Gael European affairs spokesperson
Ireland will be the only member state to hold a referendum to enable it to ratify the treaty. The other member states have either ratified it or are expected to do so through parliamentary procedures.
Labour Party spokesman on European affairs Joe Costello welcomed the publication of the Bill.
"The next step is to announce the date for the holding of the referendum on the Lisbon Reform Treaty. The sooner the date is set the sooner the preparatory work can begin" he said.
Fine Gael European affairs spokeswoman Lucinda Creighton said a "meaningful and truthful" debate must begin on the content of the treaty and that a date must be set.
"It is clear from all polling on the Treaty to date, that the more information that people have, the more likely that they will vote Yes. Let's ensure that a factual debate begins immediately," she said.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour are campaigning for a Yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty. The Green Party has not adopted an official position on it after a vote of its members failed to reach the required majority in order to allow it to do so.
While some senior members of the Greens favour a Yes vote, others, such as former MEP Patricia McKenna, are opposing the State's ratification of the treaty.
Sinn Féin is also opposing it. The party's agriculture spokesman Martin Ferris and Northern Ireland agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew are visiting Roscommon and Leitrim today to meet with local community groups and farmers.
Mr Ferris said the party is "actively engaging with rural communities as part of our campaign against the Lisbon Treaty".
Source 2008ireland.com

Almost two-thirds undecided on treaty
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0126/breaking3.html?via=rel


Originally called the Reform Treaty, the Lisbon Treaty was drawn up to replace the draft European constitution after it was thrown out by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005.

The Lisbon Treaty was signed in the Portuguese capital by leaders of the EU's 27 member states in December 2007.
Governments have been asked to ratify the Treaty in 2008 with a view to it coming into force in 2009.
How similar is the new treaty to the draft constitution?
It contains many of the changes the constitution attempted to introduce, for example:
A politician chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months
A new post combining the jobs of the existing foreign affairs supremo, Javier Solana, and the external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, to give the EU more clout on the world stage
A smaller European Commission, with fewer commissioners than there are member states, from 2014
A redistribution of voting weights between the member states, phased in between 2014 and 2017
New powers for the European Commission, European Parliament and European Court of Justice, for example in the field of justice and home affairs
Removal of national vetoes in a number of areas
Most European leaders acknowledge that the main substance of the constitution will be preserved.
Reform Treaty in detail
If it contains the same substance, why is the Lisbon Treaty not a constitution?
The constitution attempted to replace all earlier EU treaties and start afresh, whereas the new treaty amends the Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht) and the Treaty Establishing the European Community (Rome).
It also drops all reference to the symbols of the EU - the flag, the anthem and the motto - though these will continue to exist.
How long did it take to agree the treaty?
The effort to draft a constitution began in February 2002 and took two-and-a-half years, but that text became obsolete when it was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Work began in earnest on a replacement treaty during the German EU presidency, in the first half of 2007, and agreement on the main points of the new treaty was reached at a summit in June that year.
Negotiations continued behind the scenes over the following months before a final draft was agreed by the leaders of the 27 member states last October.
Why was the constitution dropped?
France and the Netherlands said they would be unable to adopt the constitutional treaty without significant changes, following the 2005 referendums.
The UK also pressed hard for a modest "amending treaty", which could be ratified by means of a parliamentary vote, like earlier EU treaties.
Could the Lisbon Treaty also end up being rejected?
Yes. If just one of the EU's 27 member states fails to ratify the treaty, it cannot come into force.

Some experts say the UK's opt-out from the Charter of Rights is leakyThis time, all but one of the EU's member states are having the treaty ratified in parliament, which is less likely to cause an upset than holding a referendum.
Ireland is the only country committed to holding a referendum. That will take place in late May or early June 2008.
Although Irish voters rejected the Nice Treaty in 2001, most political parties in the country have given their backing to the new document and a "No" vote is thought unlikely.
Denmark had been planning to have a referendum on the constitution, but Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said that it would not be necessary to have a vote on the treaty because a government investigation had concluded no transfer of sovereignty was involved.
Will the Lisbon Treaty transfer powers from national governments to the EU?
Although the Danish government would say there is no transfer of sovereignty, opinions differ.
The EU exists by virtue of the fact that countries agree to pool sovereignty in certain areas.
The new treaty deepens co-operation in some areas, and extends it to new areas.
Does the Charter of Fundamental Rights feature in the new treaty?
No. There is a reference to it, making it legally binding, but the full text does not appear, even in an annex.
The UK has secured a written guarantee that the charter cannot be used by the European Court to alter British labour law, or other laws that deal with social rights. However, experts are divided on how effective this will be.
Q&A: Charter of Fundamental Rights
Are any countries seeking opt-outs?
Ireland and the UK currently have an opt-out from European policies concerning asylum, visas and immigration. Under the new treaty they will have the right to opt in or out of any policies in the entire field of justice and home affairs.
Poland is also due to sign up to the guarantees on the Charter of Fundamental Rights negotiated by the UK.
Denmark will continue with its existing opt-out from justice and home affairs, but will gain the right under the new treaty to opt for the pick-and-choose system.
Mr Rasmussen has announced that a referendum will be held during the lifetime of the existing parliament on scrapping his country's opt-outs.
Which countries have ratified the Lisbon Treaty so far?
Hungary's parliament was first to endorse the treaty. Malta, Slovenia, Romania and France have also done so.
When will the new treaty kick in?
The treaty should come into force in 2009 but different parts will take effect at different times:
The High Representative on foreign affairs could start work by late 2008, as long as the treaty has been ratified
The new-look European Parliament would not appear until after the European elections in June 2009. In fact, that poll will be seen partly as an endorsement of the new arrangements
The new president of the European Council could also start work at that point
Although a new commission will be chosen in 2009, its size may not be slimmed down until 2014
Some extensions of qualified majority voting (QMV) in the European Council are already in place, such as the appointment of the commission president and the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy - but Poland's objections over voting weights mean the redistribution of votes will not come in until after 2014
Some of the higher profile aspects of the treaty could begin to appear by the end of 2008 but it could be 10 years before the process is complete.

Source BBC News

Todays Funeral procession Thursday 27/3/2008

May Allah shower Mercy on the young souls.

نتقدم بالتعازي الحارة لذوي المفقودين وانا لله وانا اليه راجعون.

Ireland has been shocked to learn that "IMAN AYADI & AYAH ALZUBER" died in the tragic accident that happened on the way to Galway for a trip for young girls.

The Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty: public meeting (April 2, Dublin)
The Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will be held in the next couple of months. Do you know what is in the Treaty? If you talk to people in your organisation, do you know what to say to them if you are asked questions? Have you questions about the Treaty?If you would like to make sure you know the Treaty, come along to Labour Women's Open Meeting to ask the questions and get the answers. When the day of the Referendum comes, make an informed decision. Know the Treaty. The Lisbon TreatyEurope – What’s It All About?‘Women ask the questions’What does the Treaty mean for women?What does the Treaty say about my family, our jobs, the environment?What will change?I want to know the Treaty.Labour Women Open EventWed 2nd April (11am-1pm)European Building, Molesworth St Dublin 2Speakers: Brigid Laffan UCDJoe Costello TDParty Leader Eamon Gilmore TDChair: Cllr Niamh BhreathnachEveryone welcome!Make up your mind about the Treaty –
Be informed!

Source: Active link

Immigration Bill 2008 Objection to the lot

to: Ronan.Lenihan

THE MUSLIM LOBBY IRELAND

themuslimlobby@yahoo.ie

Immigration Bill 2008

Commenting on this bill was a nightmare experience and a blow to the Constitutional rights of the Irish citizen.It is not too late to make amendments and address issues of interest.

The Muslim Lobby Ireland would like to remind the Fianna Fail party and Junior Minister Conor Lenihan TD to whom we pledged support and voted for in the 2007 election, that he promised to help immigrants not make life hell for them in Ireland.

We are demanding that Fianna Fail fulfil their responsibility for integration by stopping this Bill or seriously amending it, which further discriminates against non nationals in the State.

The Bill requires foreign nationals who are legally resident in the State to carry new permit cards. This is an infringement of civil liberties, and this will not give a chance for the integration of non nationals, as it acts as a discriminatory measure.

What the Bill should do, is to deal with irregular immigrants with tough measures without breaching the UN refugee and human rights conventions. This Government has called for a visa amnesty for those Irish immigrants who are under similar circumstances in other parts of the world, like those in the USA. Would they like to see these Irish citizens, being dealt with as harshly as this Bill proposes to deal with irregular immigrants in Ireland?

The Bill is "aimed at cutting down the opportunity for marriages of convenience for immigration purposes." Restrictions on marriage might bring hardship to both foreign and native people wishing to marry partners of their own choice.

Difficulties to immigrants and their families

The Bill, gives wide-ranging powers of arrest and detention to a member of the Garda Siochána of an immigrant failing to make reasonable efforts to establish his or her true identity.This is contrary to the human right conventions.

Landing in the State and applying for asylum is a right of any asylum seeker. People should not be sent to a country where their lives or liberty would be in danger, without an opportunity to claim protection.

Family Reunification:

The new bill will seriously limit the freedom of Irish citizens to marry non-EU nationals and bring their spouses into the country.Family members in the State should be granted residency rights.

Ireland is the only member of the EU not to have primary legislation covering this issue of family reunification on the human and constitutional rights of migrants and their family members.

Those who come to live, work and pay taxes in Ireland should be entitled to family reunion as people who deserve to have a normal family life. This is in accordance with removing isolation and suffering, which act as barriers to integration.

The fact that the Minister has the power to deport a person from Ireland without any right of appeal, is in itself is a breach of the constitutional and UN convention rights for asylum seekers. You might as well open a Guantanamo detention centre in Ireland and import the Americans to torture detainees and interrogate them.

This is utterly not right.We ask the Minister to consider seriously changing such displacement of the law.

Appeals:

We draw the Minister's attention that the right of appeal is granted for every human to be heard again, if he/she feels unjustly treated. An appeal mechanism should be initiated through an independent appeals body for all immigration and asylum-related applications.Also victims of exploitation and human trafficking should be addressed in a humane manner, bearing in mind people never flee their country unless they have genuine political or economical or social problems.

Powers to remove detainees

The Muslim Lobby Ireland, is outraged with regard to the power given to the Gardai to detain asylum seekers in centres and police stations.This can give Ireland a bad image internationally. It can also prevent Ireland meeting its international human rights obligations, in particular to those seeking protection, from current war zones, natural disasters and persecution.

The power concentrated in the hands of the Minister and the Gardai is beyond reasonable standards.

Most legal immigrants, (those with status and still seeking status) are law abiding and trying their hardest to make the best of the chance which has been given to them, (refugee status or otherwise) to piece their life together again. Therefore, not much threat actually comes from such people. Hence the safety and security of the State is preserved. There is no excuse to extradite a person on security grounds unless substantial evidence is at hand.With this Bill the legal principle 'innocent until proven guilty' is not substantiated, as an asylum seeker may be deported on the basis of unfounded allegations that are made against them.Also, the Bill states that an individual who has been 'charged with any crime or offence' can be deported, giving more power to the Minister and Gardai.Reading between the lines of section 5 of the Bill suspicion alone may give adequate reason for the arrest and detention of non nationals. This is contrary to the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Breaching constitutional rights:

The Bill can give more power to those officials in government to abuse the law. Also the Bill infringes on the constitutional rights of the native Irish citizen in their choice of who they would like to marry. The implementation of the Bill would also incur additional costs over what the immigration process cost is now.

Administration

Muslims shocked to learn that crisps contain alcohol

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article3412749.ece

From The Times
February 22, 2008
Muslims shocked to learn that crisps contain alcohol
Valerie Elliott, Consumer Editor

Senior Muslim figures have said that they are shocked that a number of Walkers snacks contain traces of alcohol and eating them is therefore against their religion.A tiny amount of alcohol is used in some products as a chemical agent to extract flavour.The use of alcohol was discovered by Besharat Rehman, who owns a halal supermarket in Bradford, and reported in the Eastern Eye. Mr Rehman said: “Our suppliers were unaware of the alcohol. Walkers must make it clear on the packaging so customers can make an informed choice.”Shuja Shafi, who chairs the food standards committee of the Muslim Council of Britain, said that he intended to investigate. “Certainly we would find it very offensive to have eaten food with alcohol.”Masood Khawaja, of the Halal Food Authority, said that it had raised labelling issues and alcohol flavouring with Walkers before. “They should have looked into the matter and solved it instead of hiding behind labelling regulations. It does not matter what percentage of alcohol is involved.”However, a Walkers consumer care team representative was unapologetic. She said: “There is not enough room on the packaging to list things beyond allergy-causing ingredients that can make people ill. A minimal amount of alcohol is used to extract the flavour of some crisps.”Snacks that are likely to be boycotted by Muslims are Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, Doritos Chilli Heat Wave and Quavers Cheese.
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Irish Muslims at a Crossroads (Part One)

Irish Muslims at a Crossroads (Part One) By Idris Tawfiq British Writer


The first wave of Muslims came for higher education, notably to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin.Although the roots of Islam in the Republic of Ireland can indeed be traced further back, the visits of Muslim trading ships in the 1950s triggered the real presence of Muslims in Ireland. This in itself is interesting because, unlike the presence of Muslim minorities in other European countries, the arrival of Muslims to Ireland was not connected with citizens from former colonies as in Britain and France, or with labor agreements signed after World War II as in Austria and Germany to which many Turks moved in search for work.Unlike the large numbers of underprivileged and undereducated Muslims who are now the feature of Islam in many European countries, the Muslims who came to Ireland were of an altogether different type. In a sense, then, there is a parallel here with the growth of Muslim communities in the US and Canada.
Illustrious Immigrants
The first wave of Muslims came for higher education, notably to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. Students initially came from South Africa, and further students began to arrive from Malaysia and the Gulf States. Once they had graduated, many of these students stayed on and took Irish citizenship, becoming valued professionals within the Irish community. In 1959, these students founded the Dublin Islamic Society, which grew and grew until it became the Islamic Foundation of Ireland.
In the 1970s, large numbers of Muslim doctors came to practice medicine, and there was also an influx of trainees in aircraft engineering from Algeria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia. So, the foundations of a Muslim presence in Ireland were based on a usefulness to the state. Although many Irish citizens could look upon these foreigners as having strange backgrounds and unfamiliar religious beliefs, they could nonetheless appreciate the contributions they were making.
Ireland has a very small population of about 4.2 million people. Any increase, then, in doctors and trained professionals would have a "felt" positive effect on the nation as a whole. Since Ireland became a member of the European Community, its economy has boomed and there have been significant improvements and much progress in many areas. Along with this boom, though, there have been two other significant developments: the decline in religious practice among the Irish in general and the huge increase in the number of Muslims.

Census of Irish Muslims
According to the official census of 1991, there were less than 4,000 Muslims in Ireland. In the official census of 2006, this number grew to over 30,000. The problem for many Irish is that this huge increase in numbers has not been of doctors and trained professionals. Rather, it has been of refugees and asylum seekers who fled for their lives from many of the world's war-ravaged areas and gave a whole new flavor to Islam in Ireland.
The first group of Muslim refugees came from Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, seeking solace from the carnage and destruction of the civil war back home. At first, 350 refugees arrived, and they were later followed by military personnel (those injured in the war) and the families of the refugees. At present, there are about 1,200 Bosnian Muslims living in the Republic of Ireland.
The second group of Muslim refugees came from Somalia. While not a large number (only 100 people), these Somali Muslims added to the new makeup of Ireland's Muslim community, with all the resulting negativity that nationalists and bigots can throw at any minority. There are also still about 1,100 Muslims from Kosovo living in the Republic of Ireland. They came as late as 1999 to escape from the war there.
As well as the refugees, the numbers of the Muslim community were swelled even more by about 3,500 official asylum seekers who came to live in Ireland from Nigeria, Kenya, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Egypt. From 4,000 in 1991, the numbers of Muslims in Ireland have increased after the addition of 6,000 refugees and asylum seekers, which seriously altered the makeup of the Muslim community.

Islamophobic Prejudice
Muslims believe that Islam is the natural religion of humankind and that it has existed since the beginning of time. Its members cover the whole globe and look upon one another as brothers and sisters, regardless of their country of origin. For Ireland's Muslims, then, the addition of significant numbers of other brothers and sisters was a blessing, not a problem. If anything, it has meant that the state has had to take into account Muslim ideas and sensitivities because Islam is now a bigger player on the Irish stage. For those who are not Muslim, though, there is a potential problem.
Ireland's Muslims have always been moderate in outlook, well able to integrate into the mainstream of the Irish society, and demonstrative of their belonging to both Islam and Ireland. Yet, the recent years have seen an increase (albeit small at the moment) in Islamophobia and verbal and physical attacks on Muslims, often fueled by more sensational media reporting.
There is a parallel here, once more, with the US and Canada, where recent months have seen politicians and others beginning to point fingers in the direction of the Muslim community, where fingers had not been previously pointed. Ordinary citizens pick up on this media attention, and the seeds of trouble begin to be sown.

On the Edge of Change
The other background against which Irish Muslims find themselves is that of declining religious practice in the country as a whole. The Irish Constitution of 1937 recognized the special position of the Roman Catholic Church. The majority of the people were Catholic. The voice of the Church would be neglected at the peril of those who neglected it. The Constitution also recognized Protestants and Jews, but Islam was not mentioned because there were no Muslims. The Constitution was changed in 1972, and the whole article about the special position of Roman Catholicism was abolished. In this sense, Islam is now as much recognized as any other religion, because none is mentioned in particular.
Alongside constitutional change came a change in the mindset of many Irish Catholics who no longer looked to the Church for guidance. Their views on divorce and abortion came to be in direct contrast to Church teachings. Numbers attending the Church have seriously declined in recent years.
Given all this, then, the growth of Islam at the heart of what was once perhaps the most Catholic country in the world has been too much for some. They see Islam as foreign to their way of life and a threat to many of the values they hold dear.
Muslims in Ireland are poised for a changing role. It is for Muslims there to grasp the chance they have been given or to throw it away. They can retreat into ethnic and cultural groups, as has happened in many other countries of Europe, shunning contact with non-Muslims and mainstream society. This will bring with it all the accusations against Muslims of not being really wholehearted citizens and not having the best interests of Ireland at heart. Or they can immerse themselves into a society in need of God.

People of Faith
This does not mean for one minute to give up anything of what it means to be Muslim. It does not mean submitting to those secular forces that have no place for religion and spirituality in the Irish society either. Those groups gloat over any division they see among the religious people, and it is for Muslims and others to challenge such ideas wherever they find them. Muslims should hold fast to the rope of Allah and extend their hands to other people of faith within the island of Ireland.
People of faith have so much in common. Islam is not a threat to any community or to any other faith. Indeed, no one should ever feel threatened by goodness wherever it is. By being strong in faith and faithful to prayer, the Muslims of Ireland have so much to offer to their nation. Hopefully, they will seize this chance.
What do you think of the current state of Irish Muslims?
How can they make the best of their existence in Ireland?
In your opinion, is there any other obstacle that Irish Muslims encounter?
Idris Tawfiq is a British writer who became a Muslim in 2000. For many years, he was head of religious education in different schools in the United Kingdom. Before embracing Islam, he was a Roman Catholic priest. He now lives in Egypt.

You can visit his website here.

Irish diplomat expelled: talked to Al Qaeda-linked militants

Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:25 pm

An Irish diplomat who was expelled from Afghanistan for talking to Taliban-linked insurgents defended his actions today, insisting that dialogue could persuade militants to abandon violence. "There is a critical difference between what is discreet and what is covert," Michael Semple, who was the second most senior European Union official in Afghanistan, said in an interview with the Guardian. "What we were doing was simply discreet because that was what was required. But it was totally in line with official policy to bring people in from the cold." Semple was expelled late last year with Briton Mervyn Patterson, a UN political adviser, for threatening national security by contacting the Taliban in the volatile southern province of Helmand. A February 4 Financial Times report from Kabul said discovery of the contact -- and a secret British plan to train former Taliban fighters who wanted to switch sides -- had worsened relations between Kabul and London. Britain has denied being "engaged" with the Taliban and Semple told The Guardian that they had not opened any such channel with Al-Qaeda-linked Taliban. Semple said he firmly believed that "with good management you could break two-thirds of the insurgents away from" what he called "those irreconcilables" -- hardline militants totally against any accommodation with coalition forces."There isn't a serious actor in Afghanistan who says the only way forward is to fight your way out."
taken from
politics.ie