‘Lisbon information meeting in Loreto, Rathfarnham’
Last night, the second in our series of three meetings on the Lisbon Treaty took place at Loreto Community Centre, Nutgrove. I was extremely impressed with the turnout, which resulted in extra chairs having to be found so that everyone had a seat!
I was joined by Blair Horan of the CPSU and by Holly Kilroy, International Officer of Labour Youth.
I began the meeting by telling the audience that a vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty will mean a strong Ireland on the European stage and a strong EU on the world stage.
“The Lisbon Treaty is not going to sort everything. But there is enough in this document for people to vote Yes on June 12th.
“The No side are rolling out arguments that have been rehashed from debates we’ve had since we voted to join the EEC in 1972. Any arguments that the EU has left items out of this treaty in order to push it through is plain wrong.”
Holly admitted to the audience that she had come to the meeting the day after her Final Exams in College; such is the strength of her support for the Lisbon Treaty.
“Passing this Treaty will guarantee the rights that Labour has fought for,” she said. “The Charter of Fundamental Rights contains some vital rights that will only become legally enforceable if Ireland votes Yes. This even includes a prohibition on discrimination, which is a massive step for the EU to take.”
Blair told the crowd that any fears that Ireland is ‘surrendering’ to a United States of Europe should be dismissed.
“We live in a different century now. If one looks at the history of Europe, the 20th Century saw the absolute devastation of Europe through two World Wars, genocide and instability. The EU is a guarantee of stability. If Ireland was on its own in the current economic climate, our unemployment would be through the roof and our currency would be devastated.”
In a Question and Answer session at the end of the meeting there was a surprising number of questions on the Lisbon Treaty and its possible link to abortion and euthanasia being brought in to Ireland.
“It is untrue to say that Ireland will be forced to bring in abortion and euthanasia” I said.
“There are many untruths out in the public mind and it is our job to separate the truth from the myth.”
- The final Information meeting on the Lisbon Treaty takes place this Thursday, 15 May in Kiely’s, Mount Merrion. It is a public meeting and begins at 8pm. Everyone is welcome.
the ref commissioner just said on radio there was no new rights, just principals
Steve, you are right to say there are no ‘new’ rights, however what the Lisbon Treaty will do is make those rights legally enforceable. It will guarantee the Charter of Fundamental Rights which, as it stands, European countries are not legally bound to.
Thanks for your comment.
I am normally a Yes voter in EU referendums but this time I am voting no. The main reason is that France and Holland voted no and haven’t suffered negative conaequences and remain in the EU.Holland has just 2% unemployment and FDI in France soared after the no vote to the EU Constitution (which Bertie admits is 95% the same as Lisbon). I am not comfortable that we are being asked to foist Lisbon on them when they have said no. I also oppose the Charter because it will give the ECJ the power to determine human rights in Ireland, rather than the Supreme Court. The loss of more vetoes like Energy, Culture, Tourism and Sport and the statutes of the ECJ/EIB/ECB are unacceptable. The arguments that the EU institutions are based on a template for 6 countries does not stand up to scrutiny because Nice was about preparing the EU for 27 members. We are being asked to give away our independence so that Irish politicians can hop aboard the Brussels gravy-train. Only 20 people turned out at the Irish Alliance for Europe meeting recently, compared tp 600 at a Roscommon Hospital Group meeting calling for a “No” vote. I just hope that when we say no, this time the politicians will listen to us instead of patronising us.
Future Taoiseach,
Thanks for your comment. I have to respectfully disagree with you.
Firstly, while it is true that France and Holland voted No in referenda on the EU Constitution, it is important to note that what we are being asked to vote on is the Lisbon Reform Treaty. I understand the point regarding the similarity between the proposed Constitution and Lisbon. However, France has now ratified Lisbon and Holland is in the process of considering ratification in Parliament. It is up to each member state to decide on its own method of ratification. Just as we are entitled to the respect of other countries with regard to our holding a referendum, they too are entitled to our respect for whatever method they deem appropriate for considering the Treaty. Therefore, it is not a question of us foisiting anything on other countries.
I do not agree that the Charter will supplant our Supreme Court. On the contrary, I believe it will enhance human rights protection in Ireland. In fact, I believe the Charter is the single best reason for a Yes vote!
Frankly, it is completely untrue to suggest that we are giving away our independence. We have already agreed to pool our sovereignty with other countries in the EU in our own interests as well as in the interests of the wider Europe.