Gilmore warns of complacency on Lisbon

Posted on August 31, 2009 at 05:43 PM

Eamon launching our Lisbon Referendum campaign

This afternoon we launched our Lisbon Referendum campaign in Dublin. The press conference was attended by the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD, Joe Costello TD, Proinsias De Rossa MEP, Alan Kelly MEP, Nessa Childers MEP and Susan O'Keeffe our European representative for Ireland North West.

Speaking at the launch Eamon said the greatest mistake that could be made by those advocating a yes vote is to assume that the proposition is going to be carried on October 2nd.

He also addressed the anger felt by the Irish electorate saying: "The electorate is in an angry mood, largely over domestic political issues that have nothing to do with Lisbon, particularly the reckless and irresponsible decisions taken by the Fianna Fail led government that plunged the country into such an economic crisis.

"With unemployment rising to unprecedented levels, families being targeted for a barrage of new taxes and charges and taxpayers facing the prospect of a huge bill to bail out the banks, there is great fear and uncertainty about the future.

"In the current climate it is possible that some angry voters, who may have not problems at all with Lisbon, will be tempted to use the referendum to inflict what they would regard as a blow on the government. I would urge anyone thinking along these lines to reconsider the position. A second defeat for the Lisbon Treaty will do more damage to the country than it will to Fianna Fail."

In the following links you will find Eamon's full release including the statements released by Joe, Proinsias, Nessa, Alan and Susan. You can also see photographs on Flickr from the launch including the poster released for today's event.

Tagged with Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope