Sinn Fein Launch 'No' Vote Leaflet

Sinn Féin has launched a national 'No Vote' leafleting campaign claiming the Lisbon Treaty will damage the standing of workers.

The party’s Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald explained their opposition: “Sinn Féin has consistently supported EU measures which have advanced workers’ rights and we will continue to do so into the future," claiming the latest EU move did not do so.

The leaflet is in anticipation of the forthcoming Government document explaining the Lisbon Treaty, which will be delivered to every Irish home before the vote in June.

Ms McDonald said: “EU institutional developments in the area of workers’ rights are driving down pay and conditions throughout Europe, particularly for those on lower incomes."

She added: "The Lisbon Treaty will put a new emphasis on this direction as it completes the internal market in services as envisaged by the widely opposed Services Directive."

However, the Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche responded to the Sinn Fein campaign saying the reforms proposed by the Treaty would create a more efficient Europe, helping to deliver benefits for ordinary citizens.

Insisting a ‘Yes’ vote was essential to ensure more efficient government in a growing European Union, he said: "This Treaty is the product of six years of negotiations. It will make our 27-member union more effective in delivering benefits to the people of Europe," he said.

"It will make the union more democratically accountable by giving a greater role to the national parliaments and to the European Parliament."

He said it was important Europe could speak with one voice on issues such as human rights and climate change.

"It will also equip us to deal with problems such as energy security and the effects of globalisation which no country can handle on its own.

"The fact that only five TDs opposed the Bill underlines the fact that support for this Treaty crosses party political boundaries.

"When we vote on June 12, I believe that our people will express themselves in favour of continuing Irish engagement at the heart of the union and will recognise the reform treaty as a passport for Ireland’s continued wellbeing in a Europe."

(DW)