Cllr Michael's Own View on the Lisbon Treaty

“The Lisbon vote will happen at a time of economic crisis. We are in deep recession. The recession was caused by appalling banking practices, speculation in land, and the failure of the Ahern/Cowan government to act on all the warning signals.

It’s their fault that we are where we are, but we have to act sensibly. I have the view that adopting the Lisbon treaty would be a hugely positive step, a declaration of intent to move forward with our fellow EU states. An isolationist policy at present would be economic suicide. We need the single market in the EU; we need continuing foreign direct investment; we need the generous loans from the European Central Bank and the European Investment Bank. Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will mean fuller engagement with the EU for the future and can be enormously beneficial to our economic recovery.

Nobody has anything to fear from the Lisbon Treaty on this occasion but rather we have a lot to gain from ratifying it and from forging a closer link with Europe.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights which is part of the Lisbon Treaty includes the following benefits for Irish workers:-

· The right of workers to information and consultation in their place of work
· The right to collective bargaining and action
· Protection against unfair dismissal
· The right to fair and just working conditions
· A prohibition on the exploitation of younger workers.

Labour has produced a small booklet on the Charter of Fundamental Rights. If you would like a copy, e-mail me your postal address and I’ll send it to you.

Cllr Michael O’Donovan’s six reasons to vote “yes” to Lisbon:

1. Ireland to continue to be fully engaged with Europe
2. An Irish Commissioner at all times
3. The Charter of Fundamental Rights
4. Legally-binding Guarantees on Taxation, Military Neutrality and the Right to Life, the Family and Education
5. Solemn Declaration on Workers’ Rights, Social Policy and Public Services
6. Foreign Direct Investment for our industries and export markets for our produce, thereby creating jobs for our people.