SF ignores benefits of EU membership

THE EU has helped strongly to support the peace process in Ireland. Since 1995, it has provided €1.65 billion for economic and social projects along the border and within Northern Ireland.

These monies are on top of the support the EU has given under a variety of EU Structural Fund programmes and under the Common Agricultural Policy.

The EU is also a key player within the framework of the International Fund for Ireland.

Notwithstanding the political and financial support the union has given and continues to give to help the peace process in Ireland, Sinn Féin still opposes Europe, which has been a force for peace for the past 50 years. With a ‘yes’ vote in favour of the Lisbon treaty, the EU will continue to help promote peace, the rule of law, democracy and good governance around the world. Sinn Féin’s position on Europe is a very narrow one indeed. The party never highlights the benefits of EU membership for our economy. It never acknowledges the very strong role the EU has played in helping the peace process in Ireland. Yet Sinn Féin opposes this treaty, just as it opposed the five EU treaties since 1972. My message to Sinn Féin is very simple — it is easier to knock sandcastles than to build them.

Economically, where will Ireland be if we move away from the EU? Vote ‘yes’ — it’s the right thing to do for our future economic needs.

Seán Ó Neachtain MEP

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