The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen has hinted that Limerick could loose out on further investment by multi-national companies if the Lisbon Treaty is not passed tomorrow.  

Speaking to the Limerick Independent, Mr Cowen said that Limerick had seen major developments in business during Ireland’s association with Europe.

He added that a ‘No’ vote would leave the country in very uncertain times.

“In terms of jobs and growth and investment, you’ve seen the developments in Limerick in relation to the industrial base that has come here. Much of our multinational investment has come because of our platform in the European market. The great benefit of been a member of the EU is having unhindered access to a single market of 500 million consumers who have a considerable spend capacity,” Deputy Cowen said.

“Since we joined Europe we’ve had historically low interest rates, which has boosted investment and boosted job creation. Over 600 thousand Irish jobs have been created in the past ten to fifteen years. People have to look at all the issues together, and our decision to join the EU, 34 years ago,” he said.

Leader of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, accused the ‘Yes’ campaign of scaremongering, while speaking in Limerick on Monday. “We think the better deal is possible. Even on my wanderings around I have found people who were going to vote ‘yes’, who are now saying, for example, that the loss of the commissioner is a huge thing and they’re right,” Mr Adams said.

The Taoiseach accused the ‘No’ campaign of misrepresenting the argument over the change to Ireland’s Commissioner role. “We will have a commissioner two terms out of every three the same as every other member state. And in fact it is a greater negotiating achievement of the smaller states that that’s the case because there will be one commissioner from Germany with a population of 80 million, one commissioner for Malta with a population of 400,000 and one commissioner for Ireland. It’s a victory for smaller States.”

“We have been to have an informed factual debate. The Government, particularly, have tried to frighten the people out to vote, but it’s all to play for. This is very much a David and Goliath contest and I would just appeal to people who have concerns abut these issues not to stay at home, to come and vote on Thursday and to vote no,” he told the Limerick Independent.

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