TAKE A HUNDRED LINES.....

It`s a job to know where to begin really. OK, I`m biased. One of my `Not so keen on` listings is the European Union and small wonder when one considers the antics following the Irish `No` vote to the Lisbon Treaty.

Let`s be clear here. Whatever the benefits may be of implementing the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the fact is that the EU`s own rules dictate that unless the Treaty is ratified by each of the 27 constituent countries, then it has to fall. The Irish vote was clear - a thumping majority against the Treaty - so it cannot be ratified in Eire and thus must fall if the EU`s rule is to be upheld.

Now, the rest of the EU may not like it - they clearly don`t, given the threats made against Ireland by the French Foreign Minister and the insistence on continuing with the ratification process by President Barossa, which the British Government is meekly complying with as I write - but in law and in truth, they should honour the Irish decision.

However, the governing elite in the EU are now having the effrontery to compond the felony by seriously suggesting that it is for the Irish Government to come forward with solutions to the `problem` which their electorate have created. Now, even if there is a `problem` - which is doubtful given the clarity of the situation - it surely cannot be one for the Irish themselves to resolve. All that needs to happen is for the rest of the EU membership to acknowledge and respect the verdict of the Irish people and to acknowledge and respect the rules which the EU themselves drew up. Not too difficult, is it?

But no. Instead, the beleagured Irish taoiseach, Brian Cowen, is being treated like a schoolboy given a hundred lines for not doing as teacher said. The attitude displayed from Brussels, Berlin, Paris and all points east is fast becoming an object lesson in school bullying under the guise of benign democracy. And London isn`t helping by sneaking round the back of the bike shed pretending it`s not happening. And you wonder why I`m not so keen on all of it.