Labour for Europe Blog
September 30, 2009
Friday's vote about Ireland's future in Europe - not Fianna Fail's future
Speaking at the final Lisbon campaign press conference, the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD said: "The referendum on Friday is about Ireland's future in Europe, not about Fianna Fail's future in government."
"To those voters who are tempted to use their vote on Friday to give the Government a kicking, I say: save that vote for a general election. This isn't about Brian Cowen's job - its about your job, the livelihoods of your family and your neighbours, the and opportunities available to our young people.
"A Yes vote means we move ahead, and get down to the job of fixing our economy - with Europe's strength behind us. Each of us has a responsibility to do what is best for our country; this is too important a vote to leave to others. I would urge anyone who wants Ireland to stay at the heart of Europe, and to move on to fixing the urgent problems we are facing here at home, to join us, and make their voices heard for a Yes vote in the coming referendum."
Before the press conference Eamon, joined by Deputies Joe Costello and Joan Burton, and Cllr Dermot Lacey, took part in a canvas of Grafton Street. Of course the broadcast moratorium means after today there will be no more news reporting on Lisbon but canvassing will continue and we are still inviting questions to our 'if you don't know, ask Labour'.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in labourforeurope
Joe talks to Boards ie
Yesterday we recorded a video of our Party Spokesperson on European Affairs, Deputy Joe Costello, answering questions posed to him by members of Boards.ie and put to him by Boards.ie community manager Darragh Doyle. You can view Joe's responses in the accompanying video.
Meanwhile Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore has contributed an article to the Irish Left Review 'The Labour Movement Should Be Under No Illusions About Where Its Interests Lie' which you can read here.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
If you are still undecided, ask Labour
The most recent polls taken before Friday's vote on Lisbon showed just under 20 per cent of people are still unsure of what way they will cast their ballot.
Between now and Friday we have a team of experts on hand to answer your questions on the Lisbon Treaty, what it means and what it doesn't. You can click here to view our Lisbon FAQs. There are many misconceptions surrounding the treaty and this is your chance to dispel those myths.
So if you don't know and have questions on Lisbon, ask Labour.
Permanent link | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
September 29, 2009
Dublin Mayors Urge Yes Vote on Lisbon
The Four Dublin Mayors and the Chair of the Dublin Regional Authority urging a yes vote on Lisbon. From left to right: Cllr Mary Freehill, Cathaoirleach of the Dublin Regional Authority, Cllr Richard Humphreys, Leas Cathaoirleach Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Emer Costello, Cllr Mick Duff, Mayor of South Dublin County Council and Cllr Ciaran Byrne, Mayor of Fingal.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Emer Costello was joined by the Labour Mayors from the three other Dublin local authorities to urge the people of Dublin to vote Yes on Friday.
Lord Mayor Costello was joined by Cllr Mary Freehill, Cathaoirleach of the Dublin Regional Authority, Cllr Richard Humphreys, Leas Cathaoirleach Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, Cllr Mick Duff, Mayor of South Dublin County Council and Cllr Ciaran Byrne, Mayor of Fingal.
"All four Dublin Councils have passed resolutions supporting a 'Yes' vote in the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty", she said. "It is important that the people of Dublin know that their City and County Councillors whom they elected to represent them having duly considered their respective motions in each of the four Councils, decided by substantial majorities in each case that the balance of interest firmly lies in supporting the Lisbon Treaty".
"The EU has made a major contribution to Ireland and Dublin's economic and social development since we joined in 1973".
You can read the full text of motions passed by the four local authorities in our media centre.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
September 28, 2009
Four generations of Irish women say YES to Lisbon
Former Senator Mary Henry, Deputy Joan Burton, Senator Ivana Bacik and Cllr Maria Parodi showing their support for Lisbon.
Four generations of Irish women joined together today at a press conference organised by the Charter Group to show their support for Lisbon citing how different generations of women have benefited in many ways from our membership of the European community.
The Labour Party Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD (representing the 1980s), Senator Ivana Bacik (representing the 1990s), Cllr Maria Parodi (representing the 2000s) and former Senator Mary Henry (representing the 1970s) met to mark the importance of the Lisbon treaty for women as well as express their support for the equality provisions in the Charter of Fundamental Rights which Lisbon will incorporate into EU law for the first time.
The four highlighted four key areas in which Europe has been good for Irish women, equal pay, maternity rights, parental leave and greater equality. Speaking at the event Joan said Europe has been a "progressive force in the lives of Irish women seeking to improve conditions for themselves, their children, their families and their communities".
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
September 24, 2009
Lisbon will protect key public services+
Susan O'Keeffe, North West Euro representative, Proinsias De Rossa MEP (Dublin), the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD and Deputy Joe Costello at the party press conference on Lisbon and public services.
Earlier today we had a press conference where the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD, Proinsias De Rossa MEP, Deputy Joe Costello and Susan O'Keeffe outlined how Lisbon will protect the right of access to key public services.
Speaking at the press conference Eamon said: "Some of those campaigning for a no vote have suggested that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would facilitate the privatisation of essential public services. In fact the opposite is the case.
"The Lisbon Reform Treaty will protect the right of citizens in Ireland and other EU countries to access to public services, such as health and education.
"If Lisbon posed any threat to public services, the Labour Party, our colleagues in the Party of European Socialists, not to mention the European Trade Union confederation would simply not be supporting it."
Proinsias said: "One of the most blatant lies being peddled about Lisbon is that it somehow poses a threat to public services. This is a complete distortion of the facts and the reality is the complete opposite.
"Lisbon has the potential to achieve better safeguards for public services at European level and to better guarantee access to public services by all citizens. This has been acknowledged by NGOs and trade unions campaigning for years to promote public services at the European level."
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
September 22, 2009
Irish and European Trade Union movement supports Lisbon Treaty
Trade Unions across Europe have given their backing to the Lisbon Treaty. They see it as adding to the rights of workers right across the EU.
John Monks of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) which represents Trade Unions of the various states at EU level is very clear on the importance of the Lisbon Treaty:
"The ETUC supports the Lisbon Treaty and hopes the Irish people approve it. We were glad that the Irish Government included workers rights as part of its negotiations with the other 26 member states. The Treaty is a far better deal for working people than those opposing it can offer. There is no conditionality whatsoever in the ETUC support for the treaty.
Blair Horan the General Secretary of the CPSU states:
"There is compelling evidence that Europe has been of enormous benefit to workers in Ireland. Since Ireland joined the EU in 1973 each additional treaty has added to the rights of workers. The Charter of Fundamental Rights which contained many of the rights achieved by workers in recent years would now have the status of treaty Law after Lisbon.
Jack O Connor, General President of SIPTU, also states his Union's support for the treaty:
"In view of the Labour Party's clear statement on collective bargaining rights we believe that the balance of advantage for working people and their families rests with ratification of the Treaty
The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) also voiced their support for the Lisbon Treaty especially its provisions making the Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding.
"The Swedish trade unions are 100% behind the Lisbon Treaty. Please tell the Irish people.
David Begg, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions sums up the trade union case for Europe like this:
"The Lisbon Treaty will incorporate the European Charter of Fundamental Rights which will give better legal status to workers rights. It would be a serious error of judgement to miss the opportunity to give legal status to workers rights
Eamonn Gilmore, Leader of the Labour Party states:
"More than any previous European Treaty this is the Treaty which advances the rights of citizens in the European Union and which progresses our social agenda in the European Union.
The Trade Union Movement calls for a clear YES to Lisbon. The Labour Party fully supports the trade union call for a YES vote.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
September 21, 2009
Debunking UKIP lies on Lisbon
We just posted on our Labour blog debunking the barefaced lies contained in the leaflet being issued to every Irish household by the UKIP. Do check it out here and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Posted in Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope
