70% of businesses support ratification of fiscal treaty

About 70% of businesses believe that passing and ratifying the fiscal treaty will be good for their work.

A survey of 400 businesses by Chambers Ireland also found that 73% of respondents would vote yes in next week’s referendum.

Group chief executive Ian Talbot said: “Its findings directly contradict the scaremongering of some commentators within the no camp, who have recently claimed that businesses and international companies simply don’t care about the EU vote.”

Earlier in the day, former professional Irish soccer player Roddy Collins backed the no campaign. Kicking ball with Sinn Féin Oireachtas members in a Dublin park, he said: “I’m not a politician, I wouldn’t know all the figures. From a general living standard point of view, I can see what the austerity in my household has caused. There’s cutbacks in education for the kids, potential emigration for my eldest daughter who is a schoolteacher.

“I understand people have to pay their way, but I always believe to put up a good fight. We’re rolling over too easy here.”

The Monaghan United football manager was joined by Sinn Féin senator Kathryn Reilly and Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien at a new poster launch.

He called on Enda Kenny to participate in a TV debate ahead of voters going to the polls.

“You have to face the electorate, you have to face the people. Man up, face people, be honest.”

Sinn Féin are calling for a major rally against austerity in Dublin city centre on Monday, three days before polling. The rally will be attended by party leader Gerry Adams.