Lisbon Fact Sheets
When it comes to the Lisbon Treaty, what we want is to make sure that the real facts get through, above the shouting matches and finger pointing, so we can make our decision based on what it is in the document. We will not tell anyone which way to vote.
That’s why we have spent the last six months putting together this series of fact sheets.
Section A deals with what is actually in the Treaty and how we got to this point of having something called the Lisbon Treaty.
In Section B and C, we’ve identified eighteen claims that were used consistently throughout the campaign last June. We’ve legally tested these arguments, judged them to see if there are true or false and explained how we came to this decision.
- Click on the links below for an overview of what the fact sheet series contain.
- Click on the icons for a full PDF version of each fact sheet including analysis of the current legal situation and what the Lisbon Treaty introduces.
Section A- What it is about
Section B - Claims about democratic matters
“The government won’t accept our decision…” (
Full PDF version)
“Ah, these declarations are useless…” ( Full PDF version)
“This document isn’t democratic…” ( Full PDF version)
“This is another loss of our national sovereignty…” ( Full PDF version)
“Unelected Euro elites are going to have even more power…” ( Full PDF version)
“This is just the failed Constitution in new clothes…” ( Full PDF version)
“Lisbon is not readable like the US Constitution…” ( Full PDF version)
Section C - Claims about specific policies
“Lisbon will bring in abortion…” ( Full PDF version)
“Lisbon will send our boys to war…” ( Full PDF version)
“Lisbon & the EDA suck Ireland into a European defence…” ( Full PDF version)
“We’ll lose influence with no Commissioner…” ( Full PDF version)
“The new voting system means that France and Germany will be able to bully us due to their size…” ( Full PDF version)
“We’ll lose our 12.5% tax rate…” ( Full PDF version)
“Workers’ rights will be eroded with Lisbon…” ( Full PDF version)
“Lisbon dilutes our Christian heritage…” ( Full PDF version)
“The EU wants to privatise public services, like health and education…” ( Full PDF version)
“Lisbon introduces nuclear power…” ( Full PDF version)
“This Passerelle Clause will just mean creeping federalism…” ( Full PDF version)
European Movement Ireland would very much like to thank all those that have contributed to making these fact sheets possible:
Rosella Virdó and Kasia Klepaczka who put this initial project together and were the main researchers for this immense piece of work; our members who volunteered the time and insight into each issue presented to them for consideration; Kaz Productions for their excellent design work and most importantly for this project, their patience; Eimear Farrell, John Cushnahan, Jillian van Turnhout, Sheila Beckett and Donal Potter and all others who provided their specialised knowledge in key areas; Nikki Saarsteiner for expertly co-ordinating all the work that has resulted in this document today; Rory Kelly of Sigma for his generosity in supplying professional print services; and the Board and the team in the office, your support and help was invaluable.