How to communicate the Lisbon Treaty? Implications from Ireland Cora Pfafferott, COMM/ A2

How to communicate the Lisbon Treaty?

Implications from Ireland

Cora Pfafferott, COMM/ A2

My experience

• “Making the European Union Relevant for Women” = series of regional conferences to inform women about the EU (2006)

• First referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland (2008)

• Very few people know what the EU actually does and that there is a division of competences between the EU and the Member States!

• Reasons why to vote No in first Irish referendum are (mostly) issues of Irish competence

My observation

Preparation Meeting with Women

• Women’s issues from the West of Ireland Health, rural development, poverty, education, gender equality, to discuss at EU conferences

• Example: Health – the lack of breast screening facilities in the West of Ireland

• BUT: the EU only has very limited competence in health. The Irish Government is responsible for the Irish health system and also for the educational system and social measures against poverty

The Irish Referendum in 2008

Main reasons why to vote No:• Taxation• Abortion• Defence - Conscription• Minimum Wage • (Loss of Irish Commissioner)

Most issues are issues of national competence Irish politicians/ people decide on!

But people do not know so they vote NO.

So, how to communicate the Lisbon Treaty?

• Think of: Who is audience? Women, students, trade unionists, farmers or teachers?

• Where are they from?

• What do they know about the EU?

• What are their political concerns?

Make the EU relevant for your visitors’ group!

Start with the very basics! Division of competences

• Ask audience: What does the EU actually do? In which areas does the EU legislate/ make law?

• Illustrate division of competences: – Customs union, trade = EU exclusive competence– Energy, consumer protection = shared competence (EU +

MS)– Education, culture = EU supportive, coordinative and

supplementary action– Taxation, defence, education = MS competence

• Refer to Lisbon Treaty that actually clarifies and lists who does what (Art. 3 – 6 TFEU) and then you could start explaining about the functioning of the EU on this basis

Lisbon, here we go!

Thank you for your attentionCora Pfafferott, COMM/ A2

Cora.Pfafferott@ext.ec.europa.eu

© Cora Pfafferott 2009