John Gilroy (Labour)

I support the comments of previous Members about the trade union movement and the fiscal treaty. From listening to and reading media reports, it seems that there is a certain amount of confusion among many commentators. The confusion seems to arise from mixing up two distinct economic elements: first, the need for the stability treaty to pass; and second, the need for a stimulus package. The misunderstood link between both is that without access to international funding, there is not the slightest possibility of creating a stimulus package and without passing the treaty, there is not the slightest possibility of achieving access to international funding. I call on the trade union movement to reflect upon this and reconsider its recommendation to its members that they reject the treaty.