SF reiterates opposition to Lisbon Treaty

Sinn Féin tonight officially backed a No vote in the second Lisbon Treaty referendum.

At a meeting of the party’s ard chomhairle president Gerry Adams said it would be formally launching its campaign against the controversial charter this week.

“This was a bad treaty when last it was presented,” Mr Adams said.

“The people said no. Exactly the same treaty is being presented once again.”

Senior activists and grass-roots members from across Ireland met in Navan to discuss its high-profile campaign and other party issues including the poor showing in the European and local elections and defections by several councillors.

The second Lisbon vote will be held on October 2.

Vice-president Mary Lou McDonald denied the loss of her European seat would dent her credibility promoting the no campaign with voters.

“On the last occasion we gave an honest analysis of the Lisbon Treaty,” Ms McDonald said.

“We gave people information, we gave advice. But we’ve always known in a referendum situation people are sovereign and they make their decision.”

With the demise of Libertas and a vow by its controversial leader Declan Ganley not to spearhead a second No campaign, Sinn Féin looks set to be the only remaining well-financed voice in the anti-Lisbon camp.

Last year, the party’s key arguments against the treaty were claims it would end Ireland’s automatic right to a commissioner, it would erode neutrality and undermine workers’ rights.

Meanwhile, Mr Adams played down claims the party was reeling from the resignations of councillors such as Christy Burke and Louise Minihan in Dublin as well as criticism from unsuccessful European candidate Toireasa Ferris.

Ms Ferris, daughter of Kerry TD Martin Ferris, wrote an opinion piece in An Phoblacht suggesting the party was primarily a northern voice which turned voters in the Republic off.

But Mr Adams said Sinn Féin encouraged debate among members.

“I think the party’s united about what we want,” he said.

“I think we’re united about where we want to go. There are obviously different opinions about how we should get there and that’s a very very healthy thing for a political party.”