Shortall urges Yes vote!
Issued : Friday 25 September, 2009
In the lead up to the 2nd Lisbon Referendum, local Labour T.D Roisin Shortall urges Dublin North West to vote Yes.
'As poling day approaches I want to appeal to all voters, and particularly to those who have supported me over the years, to come out on October 2nd and vote yes to ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
Deputy Shotrall points out, 'This is one of the most important votes we have ever held. Not only will the outcome determine our relationship with the rest of Europe, it will also have a huge influence over our capacity to recover from the economic crisis and particularly get people back to work
Everyone knows that the economic climate has changed beyond recognition since June 2008, when we last went to the polls on Lisbon. The world is facing an unprecedented recession. The impact has been felt ever more severely in Ireland because of decisions taken by our own government, which has left almost 450,000 out of work. But if we are to get out of the recession it will require action at both national and international level. We must work with the EU to end this recession and to get people back to work.
A further no vote would do yet more damage. Politicians, trade unionists and business people from neighbouring countries who I have spoken to, have all said that another vote would be interpreted as a signal that Ireland no longer wants to be fully engaged with the European process.
A strong yes vote on the other hand will show that Ireland is open for business, that we welcome inward investment and the jobs that it brings, and that we are fully engaged and committed members of the EU.
Deputy Shortall continues, 'This is far too important an issue to be left to chance. Everyone has a duty to make their voices heard and to use their vote. Voters who may still be confused by the conflicting messages coming from supporters and opponents of Lisbon should look at the material produced by the Referendum Commission. This is an independent organisation that gives an unbiased assessment of most of the key issues. I have no doubt that anyone who examines the Commission material will recognise that ratification of the Treaty will be a good step for Ireland.
There are three principal reasons why I am advocating a yes vote:
1. To help restore international confidence in Ireland so that jobs and businesses can be secured here;
2. To enable Europe to function more efficiently and democratically, to help get Europe and Ireland out of the economic crisis;
3. To improve the rights of the individual in Europe – as citizens, workers and consumers.
For Labour one of the principal benefits of the Lisbon Treaty is the improvement that it will bring for the rights of individuals as citizens, workers and consumers.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights will bring significant additional benefits to workers, but the Charter will only come into effect if Lisbon is ratified. The Charter will ensure the further integration of the economic and social aspects of EU membership so that they complement each other more effectively and that a better balance is struck between the demands of the market and the needs of society.
Among the key benefits the Charter will bring are:
the right of workers to information and consultation in their place of work
the right to collective bargaining and action
protection against unfair dismissal
the right to fair and just working conditions and
a prohibition on the exploitation of younger workers.
Irish voters have nothing to lose and much to gain from a yes vote on October 2nd.
