Sunday, September 6, 2009
Fianna Fail for Lisbon Treaty
As you know, the country will go to the polls on October 2nd to vote on the Lisbon Treaty Referendum. Fianna Fáil will of course be strongly campaigning for a Yes vote. Later today, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D., will launch the Party's Lisbon Treaty Campaign.Ahead of the referendum I'm delighted to announce that Fianna Fáil has set up a dedicated Lisbon Treaty website, which you can access here.The website contains all the latest news from the Party's referendum campaign, why is it vital that we vote Yes in this referendum and the factual position regarding common misconceptions about the Lisbon Treaty.The Treaty is so important for a country of our size. It guarantees that Ireland's concerns will be heard at the European Union Commission level - and it's the best way to enhance our economic situation here at home.A reformed European Union is necessary to tackle the economic crisis. If passed, the Lisbon Treaty will enhance Ireland's ability to attract investment and increase trade.These are just a few reasons to vote "YES" on the Treaty, but we want to hear from you. Sign up and let us know why you're voting "YES." You can even upload a photo of yourself holding a sign with your personal reason for a "YES" vote. http://www.fiannafail.ie/whyyesWe hope you'll take this opportunity to take a look at the site and visit it regularly ahead of the referendum. Other features will be added to the site throughout the course of the campaign. Let us know your reason for supporting the Treaty by signing up to show your support. Make sure to include a photo of you holding your reason for voting "YES". http://www.fiannafail.ie/whyyes Yours sincerely,Micheál Martin TDDirector of Elections and Minister for Foreign Affairs www.strongerwitheurope.ie
The Irish government faces a tough battle to get the EU's Lisbon Treaty
The Irish government faces a tough battle to get the EU's Lisbon Treaty ratified in a referendum next month, the country's foreign minister says.
Micheal Martin was speaking after a new opinion poll suggested a drop in support for the treaty.
"I was never under any illusion but that it would be difficult to secure this, but I do think we can do it," Mr Martin said on Ireland's RTE radio.
The treaty was rejected in a referendum in the Republic of Ireland last year.
Ireland is the only one of the EU's 27 member states to put the treaty to a referendum. The complex document, drawn up after years of negotiation, is aimed at streamlining EU institutions.
'Significant challenge'
Mr Martin stressed that the government had "succeeded in ensuring every country retains a commissioner" in the EU.
"There is a very significant challenge ahead, it's going to be a very tight campaign and it will demand all of the resources, conviction, politics and passion of all of those on the Yes side," he said.
The parliaments in nearly all of the 27 member states have ratified the treaty, but it cannot enter into force unless all the countries ratify it.
An Irish Times/TNS opinion poll published on Friday showed 46% of respondents would vote Yes - an eight-point fall since the last such poll in May.
Opposition to the treaty stood at 29% - a one-point rise.
The figure for "Don't Knows" was 25% - a seven-point jump. The poll sampled 1,000 voters nationwide earlier this week.
Irish guarantees
Dublin has secured binding EU guarantees that the treaty will not affect Irish sovereignty over key issues such as military neutrality and abortion.
These issues, along with taxation policy, were identified as major concerns of Irish voters after the June 2008 referendum.
The second Irish vote, on 2 October, is seen as the last major hurdle delaying Lisbon's entry into force.
The treaty's opponents argue that it is just the defunct EU Constitution repackaged, and say it will undermine national sovereignty. The constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
EU leaders and other pro-Lisbon politicians say the treaty is needed to make the enlarged 27-nation EU more efficient.
Under Lisbon, the six-monthly rotating EU presidency would be replaced by one that runs for two-and-a-half years, there would be a powerful new foreign affairs chief and the European Parliament would gain wider powers.
The treaty would give the parliament a bigger say over the appointment of the new European Commission and would boost the number of Euro MPs from 736 to 754. But the number of commissioners would be kept at 27.
Are you in Ireland? Will you be voting in next month's referendum? Do you think it will be a tight outcome? How do you intend to vote? Will you vote differently to how you cast your ballot in last year's referendum?
Micheal Martin was speaking after a new opinion poll suggested a drop in support for the treaty.
"I was never under any illusion but that it would be difficult to secure this, but I do think we can do it," Mr Martin said on Ireland's RTE radio.
The treaty was rejected in a referendum in the Republic of Ireland last year.
Ireland is the only one of the EU's 27 member states to put the treaty to a referendum. The complex document, drawn up after years of negotiation, is aimed at streamlining EU institutions.
'Significant challenge'
Mr Martin stressed that the government had "succeeded in ensuring every country retains a commissioner" in the EU.
"There is a very significant challenge ahead, it's going to be a very tight campaign and it will demand all of the resources, conviction, politics and passion of all of those on the Yes side," he said.
The parliaments in nearly all of the 27 member states have ratified the treaty, but it cannot enter into force unless all the countries ratify it.
An Irish Times/TNS opinion poll published on Friday showed 46% of respondents would vote Yes - an eight-point fall since the last such poll in May.
Opposition to the treaty stood at 29% - a one-point rise.
The figure for "Don't Knows" was 25% - a seven-point jump. The poll sampled 1,000 voters nationwide earlier this week.
Irish guarantees
Dublin has secured binding EU guarantees that the treaty will not affect Irish sovereignty over key issues such as military neutrality and abortion.
These issues, along with taxation policy, were identified as major concerns of Irish voters after the June 2008 referendum.
The second Irish vote, on 2 October, is seen as the last major hurdle delaying Lisbon's entry into force.
The treaty's opponents argue that it is just the defunct EU Constitution repackaged, and say it will undermine national sovereignty. The constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
EU leaders and other pro-Lisbon politicians say the treaty is needed to make the enlarged 27-nation EU more efficient.
Under Lisbon, the six-monthly rotating EU presidency would be replaced by one that runs for two-and-a-half years, there would be a powerful new foreign affairs chief and the European Parliament would gain wider powers.
The treaty would give the parliament a bigger say over the appointment of the new European Commission and would boost the number of Euro MPs from 736 to 754. But the number of commissioners would be kept at 27.
Are you in Ireland? Will you be voting in next month's referendum? Do you think it will be a tight outcome? How do you intend to vote? Will you vote differently to how you cast your ballot in last year's referendum?
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