Dublin mayors* urge yes vote in Lisbon referendum
Issued : Tuesday 29 September, 2009
Speaking at the Press Conference of four Dublin Labour Mayors, Emer Costello, Lord Mayor of Dublin, said that she and her colleagues representing the elected Councillors of Dublin City and County were urging the people of Dublin to vote ‘Yes’ on the 2nd October.
“All four Dublin Councils have passed resolutions supporting a ‘Yes’ vote in the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty”, she said.
“It is important that the people of Dublin know that their City and County Councillors whom they elected to represent them having duly considered their respective motions in each of the four Councils, decided by substantial majorities in each case that the balance of interest firmly lies in supporting the Lisbon Treaty”.
“The EU has made a major contribution to Ireland and Dublin’s economic and social development since we joined in 1973”.
“Quite literally billions of euro have been transferred in loans and grants for the development of Dublin’s infrastructure, promotion of our tourism, supporting urban regeneration, fostering local enterprise, employment and training opportunities”.
“In the present economic crisis when the Lord Mayor of Dublin has established a Lord Mayor’s Commission on Employment and Training and job opportunities for the unemployed are at a premium it is essential we continue to be fully involved with the EU in relation to loans, grants, foreign direct investment and the 500 million consumer market of the EU.
“Each motion details the reasons why in each Council, Councillors voted by an overwhelming majority for ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and for remaining fully engaged with the EU”.
The following is the text of the four motions.
Dublin City Council:
“That Dublin City Council notes Ireland's membership of the European Community since 1973;
Acknowledges that membership of the European Union has been beneficial to Ireland in the intervening years; notes in particular that Dublin City has benefited from European funding in the following key areas:
• Transport and telecommunication infrastructure
• Waste management
• Support for Dublin Tourism
• Employment Training and Educational opportunities
• Childcare services, particularly in disadvantaged areas
• Dublin City's Regeneration and urban renewal programmes
• Research and development support for small and medium business and for their local colleges
• Support for local and community enterprise
Considers that it is in Ireland's interest to remain fully engaged with the EU
Believes that the Treaty of Lisbon enhances Ireland's membership
And therefore Dublin City Council supports a Yes vote in the forthcoming Referendum to ratify the Lisbon Treaty on the 2nd October.
South Dublin County Council:
“That South Dublin County Council endorses a Yes vote in the upcoming Lisbon Treaty Referendum.”
Fingal County Council:
"That this Council supports the adoption of the EU Lisbon Treaty as being in the best interests of Fingal, Ireland and the European Union; and asks the Fingal electorate to Vote YES to Lisbon on Friday 2nd October."
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (2):
"That this Council supports the Lisbon Treaty so that Ireland is at the heart of Europe."
"This Council affirms that the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty is in the best interests of the people of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, as well as the population in general, and urges the electorate to vote ‘Yes’ in the forthcoming referendum."
The Association of City and County Councils:
“That the Association of City and County Councils meeting at its AGM, recognising the immense value of the EU to Ireland and the need to reform the way it works, endorses the call for a "Yes" Vote on 2nd October”.
*The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Emer Costello; the Mayor of Dublin South, Cllr. Mick Duff; the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Ciaran Byrne; and the Deputy Mayor of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Cllr. Richard Humphreys, Deputy Mayor of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown.
