Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-06-24-Speech-2-038"
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"en.20080624.3.2-038"2
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"Mr President, there are two points I want to make. One is that there is no moral hazard and no downside for people who made reckless promises in the recent referendum in Ireland.
The Irish public have been led to generally believe that nothing contrary to our interests will happen, irrespective of our decision. Indeed, we have all given space to seeing if there can somehow, some way, be a realignment.
However, the unspoken-of elephant in the room is that, whereas Lisbon cannot go ahead without 27 Member States’ approval, the EU can find ways for a coalition of the willing to move on. Politics is the art of the possible. It is possible for there to be a solution including Ireland, but we all know that the art of politics can enable the willing to move on. I sincerely hope it does not come to that, but one must be open and honest with people so that they understand the hazards involved. We need to know precisely where we stand so that we can see what is in our best interests and in the best interests of Europe.
Nor is there any moral hazard for those who used the most vile propaganda in the recent Irish referendum campaign. Ms Sinnott, who was recently rewarded with the chairmanship of her group, which includes the UK Independence Party, circulated this document which claims that salaries, wages and democracy were going down the drain, and shows a syringe, no less, representing euthanasia and abortion! Then she comes here and is rewarded by the UK Independence Party, within two weeks, with the chairmanship of her group! But there is no moral hazard, because nobody in this House will take action against this vile document, which was circulated in full colour.
The second point I would make is that the political system can no longer cower behind Eurobarometers, surveys or opinion polls. Franklin D. Roosevelt said of cynics that ‘They know only the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish.’
It is time we started talking about the miracle that is the European Union. The vision of Schuman has been achieved. The European Union has put the terrible Panzer divisions, the gas chambers – all of that – behind us. What is more, the Berlin Wall has come down and we have welcomed in those Member States recently dominated by Communism. It has been a miracle before our very eyes.
Let us stop getting caught up in the detail of this Treaty. Let us start talking about vision. Let us stop being followers and start being leaders. We will engage the people if we talk to them about this vision, and that is what they need."@en1
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