Polarised positions on Lisbon with poll day on the horizonLimerick people will have to decide whether they want to keep their low corporate tax compared to the rest of Europe or have three-year old children lawfully detained, when voting in next weeks Lisbon Treaty, according to the ‘No’ campaign. 

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny with local FG representatives Deputy Kieran O’Donnell, Cllr Maria Byrne, Cllr Mary Jackman and Deputy Michael Noonan, met the public and media on a canvas of Cruise’s Street last Friday, on the ‘Yes to Lisbon’ campaign trail. Picture: Keith Wiseman

According to Sinn Fein and No campaigning group Libertas, the people of Limerick should vote against the Lisbon Treaty, while the Government and all the major opposition parties in the Dail argue Limerick people should vote yes.

Speaking to the Limerick Independent ahead of the June 12 decider, local Sinn Fein spokesman, Maurice Quinlivan said that Ireland will loose out considerably IF THE treaty is passed.

“It cuts Ireland’s voting strength on the Council of Ministers by half whilst doubling that of larger states such as Britain and France. It ends our automatic right to a Commissioner. We will have no commissioner for five out of every 15 years. This would be like saying Limerick will have no TDs for five years but don’t worry the Dublin TDs will look after the people here.” Mr Quinlivan said.

Libertas spokesman John McGuirk, backed up Mr Quinlivan’s comments.

“I can’t believe that Ireland is to loose a seat at the Commissioners table. It means Ireland will have no voice in Europe. When the Treaty was negotiated, the Government wanted to keep a Commissioner, but they lost out on that. Now the Government tell us that a Commissioner isn’t important anymore. Limerick people should vote No,” Mr McGuirk said.

Along with Fianna Fail and the Labour party, Fine Gael in Limerick has urged people locally to vote YES in the Lisbon Treaty.

Fine Gael Councillor Patrick O’Donovan said that it is in Ireland’s interests that we maintain a strong position at the centre of Europe.

“The Treaty is about allowing the Union to become more effective, we have on several occasions approved similar Treaties to this, and they have all added to improving the way the EU has worked for its citizens,” Cllr O’Donovan said.

“Ireland has reaped huge rewards from our membership, and we have a duty to ensure that other countries who are waiting to join the Union have access to the same opportunities that we have had since 1973.”

Cllr O’Donovan added that the scaremongering that some had embarked on since the referendum campaign was to be expected.

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