LW : Lisbon makes Europe more open, more equal, stronger

Issued : Sunday 13 September, 2009



Labour Women launched their Lisbon Campaign in the Mansion House.





YES to Lisbon!
Speaking at the launch of Labour Women Lisbon Campaign today, Labour Women's International Officer, Mary Flynn, said that the Lisbon Treaty is a positive step for Ireland and for the women of Ireland'. The campaign was launched in the Oak Room of the Mansion House on Sunday 13th Sept.



'The Lisbon Treaty makes the EU more open. Greater Dail participation in European decisions, public Council of Prime Ministers meetings, and the greater consultation of NGOs will all make for a more open Europe.

'Europe will be more equal if the Treaty is passed. The Lisbon Treaty has specific aims to combat social exclusion and poverty. The Treaty protects public service provision, and equality provisions are strengthened. Positive discrimination measures are allowed for under-represented groups. Finally, The Charter of Fundamental Rights is an equal part of the Treaty strengthening our basic rights.



'The Lisbon Treaty will make Europe stronger. In a globalised world EU will be better able to protect our standards. The EU will be committed to international relations devoted to ending poverty, and committed to providing humanitarian aid. The Lisbon Treaty will fight climate change. The Treaty will also enable us to join forces against trafficking of people and drugs.

'If Ireland rejects the Lisbon Treaty the EU will have to operate under the Nice Treaty. Not only is the Nice Treaty simply not equipped for running an efficient Europe, but under the terms of the Nice we will definitely lose our Commissioner. The Lisbon Treaty is better than the Nice Treaty. Nice or Lisbon ? - that's the choice.

'56% of women voted against Lisbon I. Women are again in the position to make or break Europe. Labour Women is delighted that Nessa Childers MEP and Joe Costello TD are launching this Lisbon campaign aimed at women. The launch is coinciding with the PES [Party of European Socialists] Activists' Event held in Dublin this weekend.