Gerry Adams- Lisbon Treaty a bad deal for Ireland, we deserve better
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams speaking at a meeting of young republicans from across Ireland called on them to come out and engage in a robust, energetic and vigorous campaign against the Lisbon Treaty. Mr. Adams described the Treaty as a bad deal for Ireland and said the people deserve better.
Mr. Adams said:
“The Lisbon Treaty, like many of the treaties that went before it, does not
deliver reform, efficiency or democracy. It is a bad deal for
Ireland. We deserve and can achieve better.
“The Lisbon
Treaty will involve the most substantial transfer of powers from member
states to the European Council and Commission to date. The influence of
smaller states will be reduced as the dominance of larger states is
consolidated. It significantly accelerates the militarization of the EU
and advances an economic agenda based on a race to the bottom for wages and
workers’ rights.
“It will
be a tough and difficult campaign. However I believe that we
will be standing with the majority of people on this island who share our
concerns about the direction of the EU and the power of the larger states.
I want to call on young republicans across the island to come out once
again, as they did in the Nice Referendum and lead a robust, energetic and
vigorous campaign that will energise young people across the island.
“The Green Party is meeting today to discuss this issue. It is a matter for them what decision they take. But I would call on all those who believe that we deserve better than the Lisbon Treaty to join the campaign to see it defeated.” ENDS