LISBON A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE - POWER

Minister for State Peter Power has today said that the Lisbon Treaty marks a major step forward in the promotion of social justice.

"As a community founded on a shared set of values, such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law, the EU has always adhered to the highest standard of human rights," said Minister Power. "The Lisbon Treaty includes among the objectives of the EU the promotion of justice and social protection, equality between men and women, solidarity between generations and the combat of social exclusions."

"One of the ways that Lisbon will help to achieve these objectives is by giving legal status to the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The rights set out in this charter range from areas such as employment to citizenship to more rights relation to freedom and equality. The rights set out in the Charter include: human dignity, the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, freedom of thought and conscience, protection from unfair dismissals."

Minister Power added: "The Lisbon Treaty will also help promote social justice in the developing world. The EU is the world's largest donor, providing €49 billon to the developing world, more than half of the world's development aid. The EU remains committed to meeting the UN target of 0.7% by 2015. The Lisbon treaty commits the European Union to aiding developing countries and also to tackling the long term eradication of poverty in the developing world. If the Lisbon treaty comes into force, these goals will become enshrined policy objectives, rather than a mere sporadic priority.'
"With the focus currently on the economic issues of the day, it is easy to forget that the Lisbon Treaty also has a lot to offer in terms of promoting social justice. For that reason, I would urge people to vote Yes on October 2nd," Minister Power concluded.