SF: Lisbon Treaty will hurt workers

Sinn Féin today stepped-up its campaign for a no vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum on June 12.

The party’s Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald launched a national leafleting campaign claiming the treaty would damage the standing of workers.

But Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche today said the reforms would create a more efficient Europe, helping to deliver benefits for ordinary citizens.

Sinn Féin launched its campaign slogan, ’Defend Workers’ Rights – Vote No to Lisbon’ in Dublin.

Ms McDonald said: “Sinn Féin has consistently supported EU measures which have advanced workers’ rights and we will continue to do so into the future.

“However recent EU institutional developments in the area of workers’ rights are driving down pay and conditions throughout Europe, particularly for those on lower incomes.”

She added: “The Lisbon Treaty will put a new emphasis on this direction as it completes the internal market in services as envisaged by the widely opposed Services Directive.”

But Minister Roche defended the treaty, insisting it was essential to ensure more efficient government in a growing European Union.

“This Treaty is the product of six years of negotiations. It will make our 27-member union more effective in delivering benefits to the people of Europe,” he said.

“It will make the union more democratically accountable by giving a greater role to the national parliaments and to the European Parliament.”

He added: “In today’s changing world, the treaty will equip the union to play a more active role in the world.”

He said it was important Europe could speak with one voice on issues such as human rights and climate change.

“It will also equip us to deal with problems such as energy security and the effects of globalisation which no country can handle on its own,” he said.

Mr Roche added: “Yesterday, the Dáil passed the Bill providing for a referendum on 12 June. It is being discussed in the Seanad today.

“The fact that only five TDs opposed the Bill underlines the fact that support for this Treaty crosses party political boundaries.

“When we vote on June 12, I believe that our people will express themselves in favour of continuing Irish engagement at the heart of the union and will recognise the reform treaty as a passport for Ireland’s continued wellbeing in a Europe that will be better equipped to deal with the challenges of the 21st century.”