Anti-Lisbon groups plan to protest during Sarkozy’s visit

OPPOSITION TO a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was recently expressed by a coalition of left-wing campaign groups, which also announced plans to protest during French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s Irish visit this month.

“The Government is going to come back to EU leaders in October with a ‘solution’ to this problem and we reject this approach,” Brendan Young of the Campaign Against the EU Constitution said at a press conference in Dublin.

“We will campaign against any re-run of the Lisbon Treaty. We will seek the largest No vote if the Government dares to re-run a treaty that people believe is dead,” he added.

Richard Boyd Barrett of the Irish Anti-War Movement said it was “clear Brian Cowen does not respect the No vote”.

“If Cowen respected the No vote he would have gone to the European Council and said the decision is final. He is not saying that. He is trying to soften the Irish people up,” he said.

Victory for No Campaign in Lisbon Treaty

NO Vote 53.4%

Use Your Vote today- Vote NO to Lisbon

Trade unionists say No vote could bring better deal for workers

A REJECTION of the treaty would bring forward the prospect of a better deal on workers’ rights, trade unionists campaigning on the No side said yesterday.

They said a No vote would increase the prospect of a “social progress” clause being agreed to protect the rights of workers.

Watch RTE News Report on press conference here

Yes side “brow beating” the public into voting for the treaty

A No campaigner in the Lisbon Treaty today accused the Yes side of “brow beating” the public into voting for the treaty and of misrepresenting key issues in the debate.

People Before Profit canvass on Grafton Street today

Richard Boyd Barrett, of the People Before Profit Alliance, today accused those campaigning for a Yes vote in Thursday’s referendum of raising “straw-man” arguments as part of their campaign tactics. He also accused some sections of the media of ignoring the real issues by over-focusing on business interests in the debate.

Latest Poll shows establishment parties out of touch with people’s views on Lisbon- People Before Profit Alliance

The latest Irish Times Poll shows establishment parties out of touch with people’s views on Lisbon- People Before Profit Alliance. The People Before Profit Alliance is campaigning against the Lisbon Treaty because of the impacts a ratified Treaty will have on democracy, public services and militarisation.

People Before Profit will be delivering tens of thousands of leaflets and canvassing in the last few days of the campaign.

Ailbhe Smyth, spokesperson for People Before Profit Alliance said:

“This recent poll confirms the message we’re hearing from voters all over the country: the Treaty is incomprehensible, the explanatory brochure from the Referendum Commission fails to explain it, and the YES side can’t manage to give us any sound reasons as to why we should vote Yes. We have felt the tide turning in the No direction over the past few days and believe that the Treaty will be closely rejected by the electorate.”

Richard Boyd Barrett of the People Before Profit Alliance said:

“The results of the Poll show that a majority of Irish people are opposed to the Lisbon Treaty as they are concerned about the increasing power of the EU, the introduction of water charges, private companies into public services, the reduction in worker’s conditions and the drive to increase military cooperation that is at the heart of the Lisbon Treaty.

For No speakers from People Before Profit contact:

Ailbhe Smyth 0872055433

Richard Boyd Barrett 0876329511

Eddie Conlon 0876775468

Treaty ‘will speed up’ health privatisation

Women Say NO to the Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty would accelerate the privatisation of health and social services, making access to these more difficult for women and children, a press conference heard.

The treaty would lead to a Europe that sees women as economic producers first and foremost, said Ailbhe Smith, academic and member of the People Before Profit organisation.

One of 10 women who spoke at a press conference of women against the treaty, she said the “much vaunted” Charter of Fundamental Rights failed to give new protections to women “and nowhere is the key issue of childcare addressed”.

Watch RTE NEWS REPORT here, press conference at end of report on Lisbon Treaty.

Debate on Lisbon Treaty- Rathmines Tonight

People Before Profit Alliance on Q&A again

Rory Hearne, People Before Profit Alliance challenged the yes side on Questions and Answers on Monday 26th May

Watch video of debate here:

Scroll to 6 mins and 20 secs into the debate