Another reason to vote No
February 2, 2005 by Ken
Filed under The Best of the Rest
Irish News – Irish Independent Online – Sunday Independent , Irish newspapers, News Ireland:
“The EU’s ‘big three’ last night launched a co-ordinated attack on new plans by the European Commission to block State aid to attract inward investment on their territories.
Last week, the Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, announced her intention to block State aid to all the wealthier EU member states, except where it involved innovation or targeted small firms specifically.
Commission officials confirmed that this would also cover some of the grant aid offered by the IDA to attract multinationals to establish in Ireland. However, the backlash has come much quicker than expected, particularly since the Commission must still flesh out the detailed terms of its plans. Nevertheless, in a joint reaction, the governments of Britain, France and Germany last night rebuffed the Commissioner’s plans, arguing it would be extremely damaging for their own less wealthy regions.”
This may seem like good news Britain France and Germany in a combined action, however if we ratify the Constitution, this situation will be repeated time and again. But not necessarily with Britain involved, the system of weighted votes will mean that France and Germany with one or two other large states can dictate the outcome of any or all disputes, and literally force their will on the others.
This will not always work to our benefit but it will always work to the benefit of France and Germany.
