The Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Rural Ireland
Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson Martin Ferris TD will tonight take part in a public debate in Tralee on the Lisbon Treaty with Fine Gael's Alan Dukes.
Speaking ahead of the debate Deputy Ferris said:
"Sinn Féin has produced a leaflet which outlines five key reasons why the
Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Farming and Rural Ireland. Activists and
party representatives are already going door to door outlining to rural
communities why the Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal.
"EU Agriculture policy has been bad for family farms. EU policy has led to
the closure of the Sugar Beet Industry. It is actively undermining the
provision of vital services to rural communities including post offices. EU
policy has become synonymous with red tape and bureaucracy and rural Ireland
is feeling the symptoms of that.
"Farmers need to be aware that passing the Lisbon Tre
Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson Martin Ferris TD will tonight take part in a public debate in Tralee on the Lisbon Treaty with Fine Gael's Alan Dukes.
Speaking ahead of the debate Deputy Ferris said:
"Sinn Féin has produced a leaflet which outlines five key reasons why the
Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for Farming and Rural Ireland. Activists and
party representatives are already going door to door outlining to rural
communities why the Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal.
"EU Agriculture policy has been bad for family farms. EU policy has led to
the closure of the Sugar Beet Industry. It is actively undermining the
provision of vital services to rural communities including post offices. EU
policy has become synonymous with red tape and bureaucracy and rural Ireland
is feeling the symptoms of that.
"Farmers need to be aware that passing the Lisbon Treaty will strengthen EU
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson's hand as he attempts to dilute trade
barriers. In fact it will copperfasten such policies allowing Mandelson to
negotiate the future of the Irish beef industry with no recourse for Irish
farmers.
"Article 2 of the Lisbon Treaty gives the European Commission 'exclusive competence' over international trade agreements. Article 10 of the Treaty makes 'the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade' a key aim of the EU. Article 188 states that decisions on international trade will be taken by qualified majority vote.
"Under the terms of the Treaty Ireland will not have a Commissioner for five
out of every fifteen years. This means when critical agricultural matters
are being discussed, such as international trade agreements or reform of the
Common Agricultural Policy Ireland may not even have a voice at the
Commission table.
aty will strengthen EU
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson's hand as he attempts to dilute trade
barriers. In fact it will copperfasten such policies allowing Mandelson to
negotiate the future of the Irish beef industry with no recourse for Irish
farmers.
"Article 2 of the Lisbon Treaty gives the European Commission 'exclusive competence' over international trade agreements. Article 10 of the Treaty makes 'the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade' a key aim of the EU. Article 188 states that decisions on international trade will be taken by qualified majority vote.
"Under the terms of the Treaty Ireland will not have a Commissioner for five
out of every fifteen years. This means when critical agricultural matters
are being discussed, such as international trade agreements or reform of the
Common Agricultural Policy Ireland may not even have a voice at the
Commission table.
"In addition Ireland's voting strength on the Council of Minister's will be reduced by over 50%. In comparison Germany, France, Britain and Italy will each nearly double their own voting strength. It is incomprehensible that Irish people are being asked to vote for such a reduction in our voting strength on the council of Ministers - the highest decision making body of the European Union.
"The Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal, rural Ireland deserves better." CRÍOCH
"In addition Ireland's voting strength on the Council of Minister's will be reduced by over 50%. In comparison Germany, France, Britain and Italy will each nearly double their own voting strength. It is incomprehensible that Irish people are being asked to vote for such a reduction in our voting strength on the council of Ministers - the highest decision making body of the European Union.
"The Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal, rural Ireland deserves better." CRÍOCH