Victory for No Campaign in Lisbon Treaty

NO Vote 53.4%

Campaigners call for Lisbon ‘No’ vote

An alliance of groups campaigning for a No vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum has claimed there is “no truth” in the assertion by senior trade union figures that a Yes vote will give more rights to Irish workers.

The Campaign Against the EU Constitution, an alliance of 13 groups and individuals including People Before Profit Alliance, Sinn Fén and the Socialist Party, today opened its campaign claiming Lisbon “offers nothing” to the Irish people.

 

It called on Ictu general secretary David Begg and Blair Horan of the CPSU to state how the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which would be made binding under Lisbon, would protect workers.

Spokesman for the campaign group Brendan Young said: “David Begg and Blair Horan are leading people to believe that the Charter of Fundamental Rights would give us more rights and that it would prevent another Laval ruling by the European Court of Justice. We are of the opinion, supported by legal advice, that there is no truth in these claims. We call on Mr Begg and Mr Horan to say precisely how the Charter would prevent another Laval ruling.”

See: www.caeuc.org

People not being told truth about text, says Alliance

Take from Irish Times 15/05/08

Richard Boyd Barrett on Lisbon Treaty

Click on video above to watch the video clip

Group says voters kept ignorant about treaty

The People Before Profit Alliance has launched its campaign calling on people to vote No in the upcoming referendum.

The group says it will be distributing thousands of leaflets and canvassing doors in 15 constituencies as part of its campaign.

The alliance describes itself as a group that wants to reverse policies that place wealth creation for the few over the welfare of communities.

It is opposing the Lisbon Treaty on three main grounds.

It says the treaty will lead to a further militarisation of the EU and obliges member states to make their facilities available for EU military activity.

It claims Lisbon reduces the areas where governments can veto policy proposals.

And the alliance also claims that the treaty makes privatisation of public services, including health and education systems, easier.

The group claims voters are not being given the facts and says voters should not be bullied into voting yes.

(Taken from: http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0514/eulisbon.html)

Quote of the Day on RTE Lisbon Website

http://www.rte.ie/news/features/lisbontreaty/index.html

Charter of Fundamental Rights nothing but window dressing

The much vaunted Charter of Fundamental Rights is nothing but soft-sell window-dressing, according to Ailbhe Smyth, Co-Convenor of the People Before Profit Alliance.

“It was designed to shift the focus of attention from the market, business and profit-driven thrust of the Treaty as a whole. The vast majority of the rights included are already protected by other European and international human rights instruments, and that it fails to provide important new EU-wide rights for citizens.”

“Rights enumerated in the Charter are applicable only to the areas of EU law, and many of the articles contain a clause limiting rights ‘in accordance with national laws and practices’.”

“The Charter in fact rolls back workers’ rights by failing to include a clause requiring the recognitions of trades unions. Basing its judgements on the Charter, the European Court of Justice has recently ruled against workers’ rights and in favour of employers and business interests. She added that nowhere in the Charter, nor in the Treaty as a whole, is there any commitment to the eradication of poverty.”

Important Lisbon Treaty Debate Tuesday May 20th

Hosted by People Before Profit Alliance

Prominent International Speakers to attend Major Anti-War Conference against LISBON TREATY

The Irish Anti-War Movement is holding a major national “No to War, No to Lisbon” conference this weekend in Dublin. The event will take place on Saturday May 24th from 11am to 5.30pm in the Royal Dublin Hotel, O Connell St and will include a number of international speakers opposed to the Lisbon Treaty on the grounds that it promotes a more militarised EU. The conference is open to the public.