O’Dea: WHO treaty plan will result in unprepared referendum
THE Government is in danger of ‘sleepwalking’ into an unexpected referendum over plans to join a global response to future pandemics, veteran TD Willie O’Dea has warned.
The former minister and qualified barrister issued the caution amid plans for Ireland to sign up to the proposed World Health Organization (WHO) Global Pandemic Treaty.
It aims to provide a unified international response to the early detection, prevention and responses to future pandemics and to ensure universal and equitable access to medical solutions such as vaccines, medicines and diagnostics.
It would also impose a
‘Set up to be another Nice or Lisbon’
stronger international health framework, with the WHO as the coordinating authority.
However, unease is growing within an increasingly shaky Coalition that signing up to the treaty would involve constitutional changes that require a referendum at a time when public anger is mounting over the soaring cost of living.
In a reference to two previous government referendum defeats on international treaties, one minister warned: ‘This is set up to be another Nice or Lisbon. It’s a worry we could do without.’
In a parliamentary query to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Fianna Fáil grandee Willie O’Dea asked if any research had been carried out to see if the treaty ‘can be signed without first consulting with the people of Ireland’. Mr O’Dea also asked Minister Donnelly if he is happy the proposed treaty ‘will comply with the Irish Constitution’ and if the matter will be debated in the Dáil.
In his response, Mr Donnelly said the matter is ‘in the very early stages of negotiation,’ adding: ‘It is not possible at this time to determine the precise legal ramifications of the instrument, nor has it been determined what form the instrument shall take.’
However, Mr O’Dea said legal experts have warned the treaty poses ‘serious implications for sovereignty’.
The Limerick TD told the MoS: ‘It is not good enough for us to walk blindfolded into this and hope for the best. We can’t just wake up in the morning and get it in the post.’
He added: ‘Dealing with pandemics will be taken out of our hands despite the fact that the response by Ireland is one of the most successful in the world. We are in danger of sleepwalking into a referendum without sufficient preparation.’
One Dáil legal expert told the MoS: ‘The nature of our constitutional architecture means it is hugely difficult for the State to avoid referenda on these matters and each referendum is a step into the dark. You simply don’t know the result.’
Previous governments have been shaken by unexpected referendum defeats on international treaties, including Nice (2001) and Lisbon (2008).
And Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher warned attempts to muster support for an international response to future pandemics among voters would have to overcome a massive disinformation campaign.
The Ireland South MEP told the MoS: ‘One of my major concerns will be the use of misinformation on this topic on social media. We saw over the last two years just how dangerous malicious and incorrect rumours could be.
‘The anti-vax movement has already found its next issue to peddle falsehoods and mistruths about, the World Health Organization’s Pandemic Treaty.
‘No rational person could see anything sinister in these aims and objectives, yet here we are again with a campaign already underway to undermine this potential treaty,’ he said.
‘Misinformation a major concern’