McCreevy: Ireland can’t afford to reject Lisbon Treaty

EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has said Ireland simply can't afford to reject the Lisbon Treaty again.

The former Finance Minister said a ‘No’ vote could turn a very serious economic problem into a serious economic crisis.

Mr McCreevy has assured voters that he has read the Treaty fully this time round, after saying during the first Lisbon campaign that 'no sane person' would do so.

Speaking in Dublin this afternoon, the Commissioner said we would be taking a massive risk in voting down the treaty again.

Mr McCreevy said: "In the fragile economic situation in which we find ourselves, with high unemployment, a very difficult situation with the public finances and little economic activity, it would be an exceptional gamble for the Irish people to vote ‘No’."