Lisbon Treaty Can Be Defeated
New direction needed for Europe
Lisbon offers more of the same failed economic policies
Today during a street meeting and canvass on Grafton Street, Dublin, The People Before Profit Alliance called on its supporters for one last heave against the Treaty.
Councillor Richard Boyd Barrett said
“We can still defeat this treaty. Across the country it is very clear that the working people, the unemployed and the poor are against this treaty. Our job now is to get the vote out.
“Where there has been a real debate on the treaty people are against it. The Yes said have failed to seriously engage in a debate on the content of the treaty.
“People know there are no jobs in this treaty. This treaty offers us the same failed economic policies which have caused the recession.
“Undistorted competition and profit maximisation are at the core of the EU. “The European Central Bank (ECB) is supporting NAMA and, in a document published in February, has warned against the perils of nationalisation. The ECB is concerned about “the risk of banks’ objectives being diverted from profit maximisation to alternative goals”. Is this focus on profit maximisation not the source of our current problems? Surely we need a new model of banking were the need for investment in social infrastructure takes precedence over the greed of bankers.”
Councillor Joan Collins said that the treaty would inflict real pain on the public
“The EU fully supports the government policy of making ordinary people pay for the recession through a programme of savage cuts in services and wages. It is quite clear that the wide range of cuts proposed in the Mc Carthy report are aimed at meeting the limits on government spending set out in the EU Stability and Growth Pact. The Lisbon Treaty gives new powers to the EU Commission to ensure that governments do not breach these limits. This will mean real pain for the people I represent. The treaty calls for increases in military spending but not for health or education ”
Councillor Brid Smith said that public services and workers rights are under threat
“There can be no doubt that the Lisbon Treaty is a weapon in the hand of those who wish to open the provision of health and education services to private companies. The EU Commission is a strong advocate of liberalisation and the treaty gives it the tools to privatise essential services.
“The treaty copperfastens judgements of the European Court of Justice which place the rights of business above the rights of workers. Calling on workers to vote for this treaty is like asking turkies to vote for Christmas.
“The People Before Profit Alliance is arguing for a new direction in Europe. A Europe that puts spending on jobs, education and health before arms spending. A Europe that guarantees workers rights over the rights of big business. Only by voting NO can we open up a debate which can lead to a real change for the future in Europe.”
For more information contact Eddie Conlon 087 6775468
