Sinn Fein says it was right on Lisbon

Dear sir - Fine Gael and the Labour Party stood with the Government in pushing the electorate to ratify Lisbon II and must now accept responsibility. Last week the 27 EU heads of government, including Brian Cowen, announced budget proposals saying 'deeper fiscal consolidation' was required and a need for 'budgetary surveillance'. This is EU-speak for more cuts in government expenditure and the EU Commission inspecting and changing member states budgets without permission. In response to this announcement, Fine Gael and Labour decried the loss of economic sovereignty implied by the proposals. During both Lisbon Treaty referenda, Sinn Féin repeatedly said the treaty would give the EU additional powers to police and impose changes to member state budgets. We were accused of telling lies. The reality is we they were wrong; we were right. Just like Minister Dempsey's false claim that Lisbon would bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to Ireland, FF, FG and Labour are finding it difficult to explain how the treaty they called on the public to support is now being used to undermine our democracy. Yours, Felix Gallagher, Talbot Court, Trim.