In the various letters appearing over the last number of months concerning the Lisbon treaty there seems to be a lack of critical summary of our constitution and where we stand on Lisbon and what effects voting 'Yes' to the treaty will have on our laws.

A post-'Yes'-to-Lisbon European state would sign international treaties with other states in all areas of its powers (Articles 1 and 47 TEU; Declaration 17 concerning primacy).

In constitutional terms, if we say 'Yes', this will turn Ireland into a regional or provincial state within this new federal-style EU, with the EU's constitution and laws having legal primacy over the Irish constitution and laws in any cases of conflict between the two.

I appeal for a debate on this.

Pól Ó Deoráin,

27 Siúlóid na Mainistreach,

Cluain Dolcáin,

Baile Átha Cliath.