IFA calls for yes to Lisbon and rejects ‘go it alone’ ideal

PEOPLE arrogantly believed Ireland could “go it alone” and no longer needed Europe’s help when they rejected the Lisbon treaty last year, farmers’ leader Padraig Walshe has said.

Mr Walshe, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, insisted he had no regrets about his delay in supporting the treaty in 2008.

At the start of the campaign last year, the IFA threatened to call for a no vote unless the Government agreed to veto any world trade deal unacceptable to Irish agricultural interests.