Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 June 2008

Lisbon Reform Treaty Report: Statements

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I understand from today's welcome announcement that the "Maybe" side has joined the "Yes" side.

The Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, canvassed in County Roscommon. I was asked on my canvass whether I could give five reasons for voting in favour of the Lisbon treaty. I could give 55 reasons but owing to time constraints I will only refer to five of them.

The first is the need for greater efficiency in the European Union. This is the declared primary purpose of the treaty and is linked to the enhanced role of the national parliaments under discussion. The institutions of the Union were designed for an organisation consisting of six countries. However, this complex institution has evolved and extended far beyond its original borders to the great benefit of all concerned and now promotes co-operation between 27 countries and almost 500 million people in a wide range of areas. While the European Union continues to function with its current structures, it is naive at best to claim that a structure designed for six member states would not need some modification to accommodate an organisation of the size of the current Union, particularly as it will enlarge further as applicant countries join.

Second, the treaty provides formal recognition and protection of human rights, an issue discussed last night in the presence of the Minister of State. I suggest that when the treaty is passed on 12 June, the Charter of Fundamental Rights should be printed and circulated to every household. It is a marvellous, concise summary of our rights which should be available to inform people of what will be their rights under the Lisbon reform treaty.

The third reason is a stable economy. The economy is inextricably linked with those of our European neighbours and the overall European Union economy. This has been reinforced by the success of the euro. The decision to adopt the euro links Ireland very closely with 15 other eurozone countries in the European Union. To risk upsetting this relationship would necessitate very compelling reasons for voting against the treaty and there are no sufficiently strong arguments being made to justify potentially upsetting our economy, particularly in these difficult times. Those opposing the Lisbon treaty are champions of economic insularity and do not appear to have any regard for what we have achieved in the past 35 years. Without our membership of the euro, one of the strongest, most stable currencies in the world, we would not have experienced the recent economic boom.

The fourth reason is the number of jobs being created. Unemployment was a significant problem when Ireland joined the European Economic Community in 1973. Since then, the unemployment rate has declined to one of the lowest in the world and 1 million jobs have been created in the economy. It is not an accident that business groups and trade unions have recommended supporting the treaty to their members. In the area of equality in the workplace, the European Union — the EEC as it was known then — gave us the equal pay directive, a most important legislative development. These are major achievements.

The fifth reason is the need to maintain the significant influence we wield in the European Union. There is no question that Ireland punches above its weight in Europe. As I experienced when I represented the country during the period when the Single European Act was negotiated, Irish civil servants working on our behalf in Europe are second to none. I compliment them, Irish Members of the European Parliament and the ministerial teams we send to Europe on the work they do on our behalf. The support the Minister of State receives from our ambassador and civil servants in Brussels is excellent.

I wish I had more time to discuss this issue in greater detail. There are many reasons to vote "Yes" on 12 June. Principal among them is the need to protect the interests of our young people such as those in the Gallery. By voting "Yes" we will guarantee them a future in this country.

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