No devolution leaves NI disenfranchised in EU says MEP

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has warned that Northern Ireland could be "disenfranchised within Europe" if local devolved institutions are not restored.

Speaking at a conference in Belfast on developing the regions of Europe, Mr Nicholson told delegates that because Northern Ireland no longer had devolved powers like Scotland and Wales it would "inevitably loose out to other regions within the UK and more specifically to other areas within the new and enlarged EU".

"While it should be recognised how positive and generous Europe has been to Northern Ireland over recent years, the EU cannot be expected to wait forever for us to resolve our differences," he said.

Mr Nicholson said Northern Ireland should now be beginning to look to what support will be available after 2006 as by that time the province will have a very serious funding gap. "We should now be moving to assess the position vis-à-vis funding now," he added.

Meanwhile, DUP leader and MEP, Dr Ian Paisley has called on the Prime Minister to allow the British people to have their say, by means of a national referendum, before the government signs up on any new European Constitution.

Speaking after registering his support for a referendum in the Daily Mail National Referendum vote that is being held in newsagents across the UK today, Dr Paisley said UK citizens “must be given the right to decide whether we should adopt a new European Constitution".

"The issues at stake are fundamental to our democracy and way of life. Proposals to allow the creation of an EU President, a foreign minister and a host of harmonising measures must be put to the people," he said.

He continued: "Prime Minister Blair has no mandate to take us down the federalist road. If he so passionately believes that this constitution with its federalist agenda is in the national interest then he has nothing to fear.

"The present European Constitution draft is unacceptable. The UK would lose control of economic, defence, foreign and security policies to name but a few. It is vital that it is the people who ultimately decide. In that respect there is no doubt they will choose co-operation over federalism or a European super-state," he concluded.

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