Lisbon will protect key public services+

Posted on September 24, 2009 at 05:22 PM

Lisbon will protect right of access to 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."

Tagged with Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope