Gilmore urges workers to vote for Fiscal Treaty despite unions' opposition

The Tánaiste has said it is up to trade union leaders and members to decide for themselves how to vote in the upcoming EU Fiscal Treaty referendum.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is due to meet tomorrow to discuss its position on the issue.

Already three unions - the TEEU, UNITE and MANDATE - have urged their members to vote no on May 31.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore today encouraged all workers, regardless of union membership, to vote yes to ensure the stability of the euro.

"Each individual worker, including members of unions, will have to make their own decision on May 31," he said.

"I'm saying to every individual worker in this country that a stable euro is important for the value of wages, pensions, trade and export, and to ensure that we have access as a country to emergency funding if we were ever to need it."