Some concrete benefits from the Treaty of Lisbon ‏ Not the Lies of Libertas

Some concrete benefits from the Treaty of Lisbon‏
It protects the rights of member-states.
The EU can only do what member-states allow it to do - it will only have powers in areas that have been agreed by all member-states. Their right to make all other decisions will be legally recognised.

Ireland's position on military alliances will continue to have legal recognition in the EU treaties.

It gives greater powers to the directly elected representatives of the people.
Lisbon makes major extensions to the power of the European Parliament to accept/reject proposed legislation: 95% of proposed EU legislation will be subject to co-decision with the European Parliament, directly elected by the citizens.

All EU budgets and spending will be subject to approval by the European Parliament.

Proposals for new EU legislation will be submitted to national parliaments for scrutiny. Nine parliaments, acting together, can force proposed legislation to be changed. Almost all proposed legislation will have to be submitted to MEPs for approval.

All meetings of the ministerial Council must be held in public - no more deals done behind closed doors.

We'll have more legal rights than we do now.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union becomes binding law under the Treaty of Lisbon.

All decisions made by EU institutions and agencies can be challenged in the European Court of Justice.

EU decisions implemented by the Irish government can be challenged under the Charter.

The Citizens' Initiative allows the people of Europe to voice their common concerns through petitions that EU legislators must take account of.

It makes the EU more effective and efficient.
Enhanced co-operation means that states that agree about a policy can implement it without waiting for the agreement of all 27 countries.

Countries that aren't part of an enhanced co-operation group aren't affected by its rules but can join in the future if they want to.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs can speak for the EU member-states with one voice on international issues, but only with the full agreement of all EU countries.

Finally...
There is a clause on withdrawal from the EU which sets out the procedure for any country wishing to leave the EU.