Ganley: Cowen running from debate

ANTI-LISBON group Libertas is hoping to tap into public anger and turn next Friday’s referendum into a vote on Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s performance.

In a blistering attack unusual by Irish standards for its personalised nature, Libertas leader Declan Ganley accused Mr Cowen of avoiding a debate on Lisbon and declared: “He’s a coward.”

Mr Ganley was speaking as he announced a “lamppost blitz” yesterday, saying his organisation would erect thousands of posters across the state in the final days of the campaign.

Among other things, the posters claim that the only job the Lisbon Treaty will save is Mr Cowen’s.

There is widespread belief in political circles that Mr Cowen cannot afford to lose the second referendum on Lisbon because it would mark the end of his leadership.

Mr Ganley accused Mr Cowen of “running” from a debate on Lisbon.

“He knows a No vote will cost him his job, but he’s still running from a debate. He’s a coward. Let him defend this rubbish treaty himself – let him stand before the Irish people and justify it against an opponent,” Mr Ganley said. “His failure to do so says more about the treaty than anything I could ever say.”

But Mr Ganley was challenged at the launch by Ógra Fianna Fáil activists who confronted him on his claims about the treaty.

Meanwhile, a number of former Green Party members have called for the rejection of the treaty. In the process, they delivered withering criticisms of the Green Party leadership for supporting Lisbon.

Cork-based independent councillor Chris O’Leary, former Dublin City councillor Bronwen Maher, former MEP Patricia McKenna and retired army commandant Edward Horgan said the last thing the treaty could be called was “green”.

“Greens believe in international solidarity, peacekeeping and building sustainable local economies,” Ms Maher said. “What the Lisbon Treaty gives voters is a free-market approach to international trade deals with third world countries [and] a loosening of the EU labour market which will result in a weakening of local economies.”

She said the treaty also contained a firm commitment to military spending.