Bruce Arnold

Critic of Public Affairs, writing about art, theatre, music and politics

Lisbon re-run is not 'brave', it is dishonest and doomed

Declan Ganley's campaign, with Libertas, in preparation for the first referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, began in 2007. From the start he showed he meant business, taking on issues that were of central importance in people's lives and in respect of their futures.

By the end of the year he was challenging the Government over the decision to stop the Referendum Commission from issuing a booklet telling voters what the arguments were for and against the Lisbon Treaty. The commission never did deal with this satisfactorily, in a fair and balanced way, but the Government gave them no help or encouragement to do so. Read More...

Leaders who want to stay in the EU club keep mum

THE European Council at its most powerful -- represented by heads of government and foreign ministers -- met as 'The European Union Club' over the past two days, and put on a benign display of its compassion and concern for poor old Ireland which has got itself into a mess over the Lisbon Treaty and needs rescuing. Read More...

Fine Gael should follow the people's lead on Europe

In the course of his speech to the Wexford gathering of the Fine Gael party, Enda Kenny referred briefly to Europe. His script records his remarks as follows: "Ireland must be restored as a central and influential member of the European Union. I am committed to playing my part in ensuring that the current uncertainties about Ireland's relationship with Europe are ended". As I recall hearing it, at the time of the televised delivery, he amended the phrase, "of the European Union" to "at the heart of Europe". Read More...