^
In any case, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union does not apply fully to the UK (or Poland)in the sense that (as far as I understand) parts of it cannot come into effect unless provisions for these rights are already in place in these countries...
Yep, I've read up a bit on the Treaty. The second referendum is being held here this Friday. As it is, I still am not sure which way to vote. In all likelihood, the Treaty will be passed, the latest polls suggest that 52% will vote Yes to Lisbon, 25% will vote No and 23% couldn't really give a toss. In fairness, it must be mentioned that a large part of the surge in Yes supporters has to do with people being scared that another No vote will lead to isolation in Europe and Ireland diving further into recession.
I'm still not happy with the Treaty, or at least my understanding of it. Much is made of the fact that in the areas where qualified majority voting will come into effect, a large majority is still required for new laws to come into effect, but my worry is that Ireland, being quite culturally different to most of mainland European countries, AND having a political scene that is so vehemently pro-EU anyway, could see itself being bent over and firmly shafted in having to bring in laws that nobody here really wants. I hate to keep using metrification as an example, but the metric system is merely an example of how mainland Europe differs from UK and Ireland. As it was, the UK managed to avoid the dreaded kilometres, while our government signed up happily and I'm still dividing by 8 and multiplying by 5 on the roads...There are a LOT of areas where QMV is coming in instead of Unanimity, and while some make sense, some such as immigration and policing would seem to be stepping on national parliaments toes a bit. Ireland does have an opt-out on justice and policing affairs, but this only applies for 3 years, at which stage I'd fear one of the massively pro-EU main parties would opt us in on the sly.
I'll keep reading up on it during the week; it's hard to find an explanation of the treaty that isn't ridiculously vague or mired completely in legalspeak and technicalities...