SF admits Lisbon campaign fundraising problems

Sinn Féin is having problems rallying grassroots members to raise cash for their anti-Lisbon Treaty campaign, a senior party member admitted today.

Despite president Gerry Adams promising a high-profile fight, Dáil leader Caoimhghín O Caoláin conceded difficulties in getting members to fundraise after the local and European elections.

At the launch of the party’s No campaign, the Cavan/Monaghan TD would not say how much they would spend persuading voters to reject the treaty, but promised a vigorous debate.

“The difficulty we’re finding is enthusing our membership throughout the country following on from the European and local elections in June to get into the fundraising mode in order to finance the campaign,” Mr O Caolain said.

“So we’re not in a position to tell you how much we’re going to be in a position to spend but we’re there to do the job.”

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

EU Affairs spokesman Aengus O Snódaigh said the party would be running a general election-style campaign and vowed they would win again.

Mr O Caoláin claimed the Lisbon Treaty was drafted by right-wing politicians who helped fuel the recession and was riddled with the same economic policies.

The party said they were opposing the treaty over concerns about taxation, neutrality and workers’ rights.

Sinn Féin vice president Mary Lou McDonald, who lost her European seat in the June elections, claimed guarantees thrashed out in Brussels last December to address Irish concerns had not changed the charter.

“The Lisbon Treaty was a bad deal for Ireland when it was presented to the people last year and it remains the very same bad deal,” she said.

“Sinn Fein will continue to fight for a better deal for Ireland and for Europe.”