Tánaiste errs a second time in Lisbon campaign

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan got in a muddle yesterday over how many EU commissioners each country is entitled to.

Showing a shaky grasp of how the union operates, the Enterprise Minister mistakenly said bigger nations like Britain and Germany were still entitled to two seats at the top table.

The Tánaiste made the gaffe as she attempted to defend the fact that under the Lisbon treaty, Ireland will have a commissioner for only 10 in every 15 years.

All 27 member states have been entitled to one commissioner each since a 2004 agreement took away the bonus seats for big states.

It was the second time in recent days Ms Coughlan made the error while campaigning for a yes vote in the June referendum.

“It’s important people realise what the facts are at the moment in that, yes we do have one commissioner, but other larger member states have more than one commissioner.

“And therefore, it’s very important that we see in the framework that’s been set down there’s an equality within the present proposals. In other words, that we have equal access to representation of the commissioner, as any other state, large or small,” she said at a Fianna Fáil pro-treaty launch.

The Tánaiste later corrected herself after conferring with Europe Minister Dick Roche.

No vote campaigners have seized on the fact Ireland, like all other members, will be without a commissioner for five years at a time. They say it will weaken the country’s voice when key decisions are made in Brussels.

Ms Coughlan hit back at the suggestion, saying Dublin would still be able to apply pressure on policy issues without a commissioner in place.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Ireland will try to drum-up involvement in the referendum with a “Don’t Stay Schtum, Have Your Say” campaign.

Youth Council national director Mary Cunningham said it was crucial to get younger voters to register for the referendum.

“For us participation and active citizenship is broader than voting in elections and referenda, it is about supporting young people to be active in decisions and actions that impact upon them...,” Ms Cunningham said.