Burton: 'No' vote would remove back-up of ESM fund

The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said she cannot understand why Ireland would "walk a financial tightrope" without the safety net of the European Stability Mechanism fund.

Ms Burton made the comments at the launch of the Labour Women's campaign calling for a 'Yes' vote in the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum on May 31.

Minister Burton said Irish women have benefitted hugely from EU membership, from control over fertility issues to the right to work after marriage.

She also said, from an economic point of view, having access to the ESM is "vital".