Martin: Danger to economy if Lisbon is not resolved

THE Government yesterday warned of the possible economic consequences if the dilemma posed by the rejection of the Lisbon treaty is not resolved and of the “dangers” to the country’s prosperity if Ireland is left on the margins of Europe.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said clarity will be provided by the end of the year on measures to be taken to resolve the issue, and said “our future at the heart of Europe is inextricably linked with our economic future”.

Mr Martin said he will provide his EU colleagues with some clarity on “the direction ahead in terms of the route we wish to take” at a meeting in Brussels in December. Mr Martin also warned of the “dangers” to our economy “if we move to the margins of Europe and don’t resolve the Lisbon issue”.

He said: “We’re about 14 weeks since the people voted. We haven’t decided any definitive option as a Government in terms of the road map ahead in terms of the Lisbon treaty or engagement with the European Union.” He added: “It will be our intention, for the December heads of council meeting, to be in a position to clarify to our partners in Europe the direction ahead.”

Mr Martin refused to say whether or not a second referendum would be held, but said that during yesterday’s meeting, Fianna Fáil members “discussed some of the economic consequences of not resolving the issue for Ireland in terms of loss of influence in our negotiating strengths”.

Yesterday’s workshop on the Lisbon treaty was addressed by Professor Brigid Laffan, principal of the college of human sciences in UCD, and Professor Richard Sinnott of the UCD school of politics and international relations.

Mr Martin stressed the importance of Ireland’s standing in the EU in light of our current economic circumstances

But he denied there’s an attempt to link the Lisbon situation with the downturn in the economy in an effort to win over voters in a possible second referendum. “Europe and the economy were always linked,” he said.

“The bulk of our trade is with our fellow member states. Our most important external ties are with them,” he said. “We sell Ireland as a location for investment on the basis that we’re the gateway into the European market with all the other benefits, so clearly our future at the heart of Europe is inextricably bound up with our economic future.”