10/09/2009

Voters To Use Lisbon To Show Disapproval In Gov

An anti-Lisbon website Voteno.ie has claimed voters will show their disapproval in the Government by voting no in the upcoming crucial referendum.

The website launched their 'No to Lisbon' referendum campaign today, claiming that many people intend to use their vote to protest against the Government.

The website, which claims to have "played a major role in the last No campaign" says that anti-treaty sentiment is strongest in among lower-paid workers.

"A canvass by our supporters in North Dublin last night found that in manual working class areas the sentiment for 'No' is stronger than last time," said Voteno.ie editor Kieran Allen.

"Many people see the 'No' vote as a way of driving the Government from office. Voteno.ie fully agrees with this sentiment and believes it to be valid on a number of grounds."

The claims by the group come in the wake of a blunt address by the Taoiseach yesterday, during which he said he was "unequivocal" that a 'No' vote would cost Ireland jobs.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, Brian Cowen said a defeat in the October 2 referendum would be throwing away "an important opportunity to help ourselves."

Today, opposition Party Labour have also spoken in defence of the treaty saying a 'Yes' vote offered the potential to better address the concerns of older people, both for themselves and for their grandchildren.

Speaking at a public meeting on the Lisbon Treaty organised by the Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown Division of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament in Killiney last night, Proinsias De Rossa MEP said: "The Lisbon Treaty is a progressive treaty and one that offers real potential to strive for a Union that respects all its citizens - older and younger - equally and to create a better Ireland in a better Europe."

(DW/GK)


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