Lisbon Treaty guarantees do address key Irish political concerns - Crowley

After the defeat of the Lisbon Treaty last year, the Irish Government sought to address the key concerns which were expressed by the Irish people during this campaign according to Fianna Fail MEP for South Brian Crowley.

"A study was commissioned and was carried out by the IMS Millward Brown company into Irish attitudes towards the European Union."

"This comprehensive survey found that 70% of Irish people were very strongly supportive of Irish membership of the European Union, with only 8% opposed."

"An all party Oireachtas committee was then set up to map out Ireland's future relationship with the European Union. Over forty different hearings were held by this committee with groups from the business, voluntary, farming and social sectors of Irish society. A further seventy written submissions were made by interested parties to this Oireachtas committee."

"At the EU leaders summit in December 2008, it was agreed that in the event of the Lisbon Treaty being ratified that all EU member states would have the right to nominate a member to the European Commission at all times. This change I believe should assure people who opposed the Lisbon Treaty last year for the reason that Ireland would only have a member of the European Commission for ten out of every fifteen years."

"Negotiations then took place with our other 26 EU partners in an effort to bring legal clarity to other political matters which were raised during the Lisbon Treaty campaign of 2008."

"These negotiations resulted in a series of legal guarantees being agreed by EU leaders on June 18th last."

"The protections in the Irish constitution in relation to the right to life, education and the family are not in any way affected by the Lisbon Treaty or by the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights."

"The Treaty of Lisbon gives no new powers to the European Union over taxation matters. This means that Ireland will retain control over our own taxation rates. No decision on taxation issues can be made at an EU level without the agreement of Ireland."

"The Treaty on Lisbon fully respects Ireland's policy of military neutrality and Ireland will be taking its own decisions over future levels of defence expenditure and whether or not to decide to take part in future peacekeeping missions."

"These legal guarantees do become legally binding if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified."

"There is also a solemn declaration agreed by EU leaders which will protect workers' rights through the workings of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights. As a former member of the social affairs and employment committee within the European Parliament, I have seen at first hand the very important role that the European Union has played and continues to play in furthering the rights of workers in Ireland and within the European Union."

"The economic case for Ireland to stay at the very heart of the European Union is a very compelling one. When Ireland joined the European Union in 1973, the level of foreign investment in our country was valued at 18 million Euro. There are now nearly 1,000 foreign companies based in Ireland, employing over 130,000 people. These companies are locating in Ireland because they want to use Ireland as a gateway to the European marketplace of over 500 million people. The people who create jobs in Ireland and who want to invest in Ireland want to see us at the very centre of the decision making process in Europe."

"As a member of the Eurozone, the European Central Bank has provided our economy with billions of Euro in recent months so as to help stabilise both our banking system and our economy. The Eurozone has been a source of great stability during this economic recession."

"Moreover, the European Union is playing a key role in helping Irish economic recovery. This is through support that is being given to Irish businesses under the 7th EU Research and Technology Framework Programme 2007 - 2013 so that Irish enterprises can keep to the forefront of new and evolving technologies."

"The European Union, though the European Social Fund is providing 375 million Euro to Ireland so as to help re-train the youth and long term unemployed in our society."

"The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will help the European Union institutions become more efficient and effective in how decisions will be taken into the future."

"This will be good news for the future development of both the Irish and the European economy."

"The future interests of Ireland's economy are best served by a Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty on October 2nd next."