President of the EU Commission José Manuel Barroso engages in debate with Forum Members
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has told the National Forum On Europe that nothing can be agreed on taxation issues without Ireland’s consent and that nothing can be imposed on Ireland. “The unanimity rule for taxation stays in the Lisbon Treaty”, he said. He also said that Ireland’s policy on military neutrality would be fully protected under the Treaty.
Both those assertions were challenged by Forum Members from Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party, the People’s Movement, and the Peace And Neutrality Alliance.
A significant section of the debate was devoted to the current controversy over the World Trade Organisation talks. While unrelated to the Treaty, concerns about the direction being taken by Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson in the WTO had led to farmers demonstrating on the streets of Dublin to coincide with the Commission President’s visit.
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