My LoudBlog

The latest plenary session of the National Forum On Europe was on the theme: “The Lisbon Treaty (EU Reform Treaty) – the implications for foreign policy, defence and neutrality”. It was addressed by former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox and Joe Noonan, solicitor, who was expert witness on EU foreign and security policies in the landmark Crotty Supreme Court case on the need for referenda here on Treaty changes.
The event took place in The Westin Hotel, College Green, Dublin, Thursday 8th May 2008 at 11 a.m.
A sharp divergence of views was evident on EU foreign policy provisions in the Treaty of Lisbon and the implications for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
The former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox told the Forum that Irish neutrality is protected in the Lisbon Treaty. He also said that the specific character of neutral and non aligned member states was recognised and protected.
However, Joe Noonan, the other keynote speaker, argued that the Treaty marked the transition of the EU from a primarily economic and political body to a military power with global ambitions. He described the Lisbon Treaty as making “dramatic changes” in this area.