Sinn Féin claims better deal possible if Government forced to renegotiate

SINN FÉIN has insisted that Ireland can get a better deal if voters reject the Lisbon treaty and send the Government back to the negotiating table.

SF campaign director Padraig McLochlainn said this would be the party’s core message in the final week of the campaign. Voting takes place next Thursday.

“Our focus will be on one key issue — it is possible for Ireland to get a better deal in Europe,” he said. “We will be calling on the electorate to vote no and to give the Government a strong mandate for new negotiations.”

The party would produce a new poster, bearing the message “Ireland can do better”, for the final days of the campaign.

The Government has always insisted there is no “Plan B”, and that the EU would not entertain efforts to renegotiate the treaty, but SF MEP Mary Lou McDonald said the Government had “an obligation” to get a better deal.

“To date, the Government has yet to give a single convincing reason why people should support the Lisbon treaty,” she said.

“They have yet to explain how it is in Ireland’s interest to lose [our EU] Commissioner and reduce our voting strength at [European] Council.

“They have yet to explain how increased military expenditure and continued support for nuclear power is in the interests of the people.”

Asked if she had confidence that Taoiseach Brian Cowen could negotiate better terms, she said: “I believe if there is an opportunity to renegotiate. . . that any Irish Government can in fact return to the table and secure a better deal.”

Last night’s opinion poll will have come as a major boost to the no campaign.

However, before the poll findings emerged, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said if the referendum was not carried all the other countries in the EU would not understand, as Ireland has benefited more per capita of population from membership of the union than any other country.

Speaking in Limerick, he said the only way to maintain our position at the centre of the decision making process was through a yes vote.

“It is in our national interest, our own interest, and the interest of our children to vote yes and retain the enormous goodwill that already exists,” Mr Cowen said.