‘No’ lobby seeks Dáil statement on EU

NO to Nice parties are continuing to press for a Dáil declaration in support of enlargement of the European Union ahead of next week’s referendum.

The European Commission and the Government denied reports earlier this week that the Dáil would be asked to officially come out in favour of enlargement if the Nice Treaty was rejected again.

Tánaiste Mary Harney also rejected the idea, saying it would flout the will of the people in the referendum.

Sinn Féin, who are campaigning for a No vote, joined the Green Party yesterday in proposing a motion declaring support for enlargement to be passed before the referendum.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the Dáil should reflect the view of all parties and the vast majority of voters that EU enlargement is positive.

“Both sides in the Nice Treaty referendum debate favour enlargement. We welcome new member States to the EU if their people vote for membership. They must, of course, also meet the democratic and human rights standards stipulated in the Copenhagen criteria,” he said.

The Government’s rejection of a post-referendum declaration was rich as the second referendum was ignoring the will of the people last year, Mr Ó Caoláin said.

“It also raises the question: ‘Why not make the declaration before the referendum,” he said.

But European Affairs Minister Dick Roche said there was no practical purpose to the proposal, and the Government was not going to try to second-guess the people.

“It is a simple meaningless gesture,” he said.

Mr Roche also said that the economic case for a Yes vote was overwhelming. Capitalising on the reported links between the No to Nice campaign leader Justin Barrett and German right-wing groups, Mr Roche referred to Mr Barrett three times in a brief speech.

“The people who create the jobs should be listened to instead of Justin Barrett,” he said.

All those who create jobs and promote workers’ rights in this country are urging a Yes vote, Mr Roche said. “The weight of opinion from big firms, small firms, economists, trade unions and international observers is all overwhelmingly telling us that we need a Yes to protect and promote prosperity in this country,” he said.

Not one person on the No campaign had ever created any jobs in this country, the minister said.

“We have Justin Barrett and Anthony Coughlan, two people who hate the European Union and have been wrong every single time they told the people that Europe would damage Ireland’s economy. “ When they attacked Maastricht, the people ignored them. We voted Yes and 610,000 jobs were created in the 10 years that followed,” he said.