Government warned not to exploit economy in Lisbon debate

A leading political scientist is warning the Government not to use the economic crisis to push through a Yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

UCD professor Richard Sinnott was responding to a new European Commission poll showing that Irish voters are the most pessimistic in Europe about the economic situation.

European Affairs Minister Dick Roche said yesterday that a Yes vote in the planned re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum was vital to Ireland's economic recovery.

However, Mr Sinnott says it would be a mistake to make this a centrepiece of the referendum campaign rather than focusing on the content of the treaty itself.