Coveney hopeful of Congress backing for 'yes' vote

Fine Gael Director of Elections Simon Coveney has said he is hopeful that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) will back a 'yes' vote in next month's fiscal compact referendum.

The MANDATE union, which represents 45,000 retail and bar workers, has urged its members to vote 'no' in the May 31 referendum on the treaty.

ICTU will meet this week to discuss its position.

The country's biggest union, SIPTU, has said it will recommend its members vote 'yes' if the Government gives the green light to a new €10bn stimulus programme.

However Minister Coveney said that is not on the cards.

"We can't negotiate with the people on the basis of them asking for something as a condition for a 'yes' vote," he said.

"We will be putting stimulus into this economy - we have to do that anyway.

"This isn't a Government of austerity, this is a Government that is trying to fix what is broken and to try and get growth back into the economy," he added.

"I am hopeful that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will call for a 'yes' vote, on balance."

Minister Coveney said Ireland's decision on the Fiscal Compact Treaty is arguably as important a choice as the next general election.

He said he believes the likelihood of the country needing to access further rescue funds would significantly increase if Ireland votes 'no', but that decision would block access to the funds.

It follows a weekend poll which shows that although 42% of people intend to vote 'yes' on May 31, almost one-third of voters have yet to decide, and 32% do not understand what they are being asked to vote on.

The Agriculture Minister said he will be working to ensure no-one can say they do not understand the treaty by polling day.

"The Government will be facing a very significant setback, as will the country, if people decide to vote 'no'" he said.

"That's why you will see huge priority over the next five weeks being put into this campaign so that we inform people and that we persuade them rather than lecture them or tell them what to do.

"We persuade them that it's in Ireland interests and their interests to vote 'yes'" he added.

Meanwhile Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath has said that rejection of the fiscal compact treaty "would be full of dangers for Ireland".

“With less than six weeks left to polling day, it is essential that the Irish people are fully informed of the implications of voting Yes and of voting No," Deputy McGrath said.

"I believe that the rejection of the Treaty would result in a dramatic increase in the cost of borrowing for Ireland and would impede our economic recovery."

Deputy McGrath criticised Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams for his comments saying the IMF should ‘be sent home and take their money with them’.

"The party (Sinn Féin) now also wants Ireland to close off the option of future funding from the European Stability Mechanism by rejecting the treaty," Deputy McGrath added.

"This begs the question, should the referendum be defeated, where exactly would Sinn Féin source the money to run the country?

"Or perhaps they favour closing the budget deficit in one year, with unimaginable consequences for the Irish people.”