Socialist Party fears treaty paves way for privatisation of public services

THE door will be opened for the wholesale privatisation of public services if the Nice Treaty is passed, the Socialist Party said yesterday.

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said the proposed Article 133 in the Nice Treaty has dramatic implications for the future of economic policy in the European Union.

Launching his party’s No to Nice campaign, he said multinational corporations will be allowed to muscle in and take over water, electricity, gas and postal services across the EU if the Treaty is passed.