Sinn Fein claims that the Lisbon Treaty is bad for the future of the Irish economy lacks credibility -
- Where would Ireland be now if it was not a member of the European Union and of the Eurozone ? -


Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP today said that '" the claims by Sinn Fein that the Lisbon Treaty is bad for the Irish economy lack credibility and do not stand up to scrutiny.

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP today asked the question " where would Ireland be now if it was not a member of the European Union and of the Eurozone ?
Nearly 1,000 foreign companies have located in Ireland because they are using our country as a gateway to the EU marketplace of over 500 million people.

Our membership of the Eurozone has ensured billions of Euro from the European Central Bank in support of our economy in recent times.
Our membership of the Eurozone has been a source of stability even at a time of unprecedented global recession.

People who create jobs in the Irish economy are calling for a Yes Vote because they want to see Ireland at the top decision making tables in Europe.

A Yes Vote sends out the clear message to international investors that Ireland is fully committed to the European Union project and that the future of our country lies at the very heart of the European Union.

Irish exports into the other 26 member states of the European Union have increased from a figure of 44 billion Euro to 87 billion Euro over the past 10 years. One of the ways by which Ireland will come out of economic recession will be by increasing our level of exports into the other 26 member states of the EU.

We must also re-call that the European Union is playing a key role in supporting Irish economic recovery through providing financial support for our research and technology sectors, re-training initiatives in the workplace, Irish agriculture, the Irish food sector and for cross border economic development.

The Lisbon Treaty is about modernising decision making processes within the EU institutions. Better law making procedures makes for a more efficient and a more effective European Union. This is good news for the future development of the Irish and the European economies.

The future of the Irish economy is best served by a Yes Vote for the Lisbon Treaty on October 2nd next."

August 14th 2009.