EU-DIGEST

Gormley warns Irish reputation at stake - by Mark Hennesy

Green Party leader John Gormley today said that a No vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum would jeopardise Ireland's reputation in the European Union. He made his remarks as he attended a Dublin meeting of European Greens, who are recommending a Yes vote even though the Irish Greens have not adopted a formal position on the Treaty. "When I hear renowned neo-cons and hawks like [US State Dept official] John Bolton encourage Irish people to vote No in Lisbon, it reminds me that I am on the right side of the debate," Mr Gormley said. "There are people in this campaign who want to see Ireland move into a more isolationist and Eurosceptic position. I have never been Eurosceptic, and I would hate to see Ireland move in this direction. Ireland enjoys a place at the very heart of Europe, and I fear that a No vote could endanger the influence and position that our small country has established over the last 36 years of our membership."

Belgian Green MEP Pierre Jonckheer said all Green MEPs in the European parliament are "very hopeful" that Ireland will accept the Treaty, despite recent opinion poll figures. "Ireland has little to fear from Lisbon, and much to gain from being at the centre of a Union that will be more democratic and efficient as a result of a Yes vote," he said.

Labels: EU, Ireland, Lisbon Treaty, referendum