Irish businesses and workers will benefit from Lisbon yes
Issued : Monday 31 August, 2009
Statement by Nessa Childers MEP
Speaking at the launch of Labour’s Lisbon referendum campaign, Nessa Childers, MEP for Ireland East said, “In a whole host of critical areas for the citizens of Ireland and Europe, the Lisbon Treaty ensures that the European Union can in the future speak and act with one, agreed voice
“The spectre of climate change represents one of the most serious challenges of our time and it is a challenge the Treaty recognises as too great to be tackled by any one state alone. Ireland must act collectively within the framework set down with our EU partners to take radical action on climate change and Lisbon allows us to do this.
“We are in a time of unprecedented uncertainty on so many fronts. Europe is facing new and powerful challenges from other continents. There are economic revolutions off to our east comprising powerful trading blocs that have entered the global market with verve, drive and ambition.
“By voting in favour of this Treaty which streamlines the way the EU does its business, Ireland and Irish businesses and workers will be in a much better position to take advantage of the new opportunities presented by these new economic realities.
“A confident, stronger Ireland working in full and equal partnership with our EU colleagues on the global stage is what Lisbon promises the Irish people.”
