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EU/Lisbon Solution 401,456: Keep Commissioner, Vote in Autumn 2009
Read more about: Lisbon Treaty 
Its the same as number 1 and many subsequent solutions, the Indo has the leaked idea (is it really news though? – its been around for ages as the only solution). It beats the deadlines but only just.
THE guarantee of holding on to a European Commissioner will be the carrot for a ‘Yes’ vote in a second Lisbon Treaty referendum late next year
The Government is considering a second vote in autumn 2009 — but this time with assurances on a commissioner, abortion, taxation and neutrality.
The complex plan would involve extending the term of the current European Commission by several months. Irish voters would effectively be told their vote would save countries from occasionally losing their commissioner — if the Government goes down this route.
…
A source said: “You’d have to arrive at that decision by a logical means by the end of this year. It’s shaping that way. It’s being kicked around.”
The plan would involve:
- A European Commissioner for each country.
- A delay in the appointment of a new Commission.
- Written assurances of no interference on abortion, neutrality and tax.
- Some EU countries (not Ireland) losing even more MEPs next year.
Bugger it, why not just be done with it and turn the Commission into an upper house.
Has anybody noticed that according to the Lisbon Treaty, of the 27 EU member states only 18 will be represented during any five year cycle, this means whether we have one commissioner or ten we will still have NO representation for five years out of every 15.
It doesn’t go far enough. My biggest problem is the Charter of Fundamental Rights which will give the European Court of Justice jurisdiction over all areas governing immigration and asylum, industrial relations and other areas of human rights like legal aid etc. The UK and Poland have an opt out from the Charter so the govt could get one if they put their mind to it. That – aswell as what is on offer above but also including a ban on CCCTB/destination-taxes on Irish exporters to the EU – would be a precondition for me to change my vote.