Book can be ordered here

The leaders of Ireland for Europe have said that there are serious lessons to be learned by Irish politicians and the wider EU arising out of last October’s referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Former European Parliament President Pat Cox, UCD Vice President Professor Brigid Laffan and Brendan Halligan, Chairman of the Institute of International and European Affairs, led the citizens’ campaign which was given much credit for the massive Yes vote

In a book launched in Dublin this evening about the campaign, all three said that the active citizenship harnessed by it was a resource for Ireland’s future and should be channelled. The book, called “Saying Yes: How Ireland reclaimed its future in Europe”, is edited by broadcaster Caroline Erskine, the campaign’s Communications Director. It was launched by campaign Patron Mary Davis, Chairperson of the Office of Active Citizenship and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe and Eurasia. It may be ordered through the Ireland for Europe website www.irelandforeurope.ie.

Ireland for Europe’s National Campaign Coordinator, Brendan Halligan, argued that the time had come to re-think the holding of repeated referenda in this country. “Ireland has become a referendum country – by accident. This is no way to run our national affairs, especially on the one issue that affects us most, membership of the European Union”, he wrote. “Experience with referenda on European treaties is that the campaign becomes a contest between the extremes and the centre”, he said. “The centre is notoriously difficult to motivate and then mobilise. Most people are just getting on with their lives. Eighty percent of them believe Europe is good for Ireland and that we should stay there. They don’t really expect that a majority would take us out of the EU, or that our membership would ever be put under threat.”

“There have been eight referenda in all on the EU since 1972. Surely it’s time to take a breather and ask ourselves if this is what we want. The need for self-examination is obvious.”

Mr Halligan described the second Nice and Lisbon referenda as “near death experiences.” “Either could have been lost. Had that happened, Ireland would have found itself out of the European Union sooner or later. Personally, I haven’t the slightest doubt about that”, he added.

Pat Cox, Ireland for Europe’s Campaign Director, warned that Ireland had to raise its game if it is to compete in the 21st century global economy. In this respect, he believed we had much to learn from our continental EU neighbours, especially the smaller ones. “Many of them have managed to better deliver some key policy preferences to which we aspire”, he wrote, adding that we needed to develop an appetite to learn from their best practice.

“We need to reform and modernise our local government, our public services and our politics. We need to rediscover the vitality of vision and values as an antidote to jaded pragmatism and tired institutions. In short we need to contemplate the renewal of our republic a project in which active citizenship could play a leading role. We have learned a lesson through Ireland for Europe and proved a point that politics alone does not contain all the answers.”

In her contribution to the book, Professor Laffan, Ireland for Europe’s Chairperson, warned against any further treaty reform for some time to come. “The EU must now work with the treaties and institutions that it already has for at least fifteen years as both the domestic systems’ and Europe’s electorates cannot cope with further treaty change,” she wrote.

“The EU must turn to doing business rather than debating how it should do its business. The challenges to Europe are pressing, arising from the major shifts in the global system. Unless Europe manages to act with capacity in the international system it will become a bystander in shaping the global future. Europe’s isolation at the Copenhagen Summit may not be a one-off but a harbinger of a new world order.”

Professor Laffan also urged the government here to implement EU law in Ireland correctly but with ‘common sense’. “Laws are how individual citizens meet Europe more directly”, she wrote. “Resentment of the EU is generated by European regulation that is poorly implemented.”

Under the leadership of Pat Cox, Ireland for Europe ran a very successful Lisbon campaign and we collected significant funds through various fund raising activities. However, with the late escalation of the ‘No’ campaign we found it necessary to intensify our campaign efforts during the last two weeks and this has resulted in a campaign deficit of circa €150,000. We are addressing this with various activities.

One significant fund raising activity we are planning is a pre St.Patrick’s Day Gala Dinner on the 16th March 2010 to which we would hope to attract a wide range of people and the civic society groupings who have clearly benefited from the resounding Yes vote. Plans are at an early stage but we do plan to have a keynote speaker and suitable entertainment. Apart from being a fund raising event with tables of ten at €1600 per table (€160 per head), we plan that it will be a great Social evening celebrating the outcome of the referendum.

We would be grateful if you would note the date and event in your Diary and help us make a great success of the evening by selling tables for the Dinner. Fionnuala Keane (info[at]irelandforeurope[dot]ie) will be coordinating table/ticket sales and she will be pleased to advise you as required. We will confirm programme details shortly but kindly reserve your table now!

Ireland for Europe was the coming together of Groups from throughout the country in a focused and concerted effort to do what was right for Ireland. You might feel that your participation in this final event will help bring to a conclusion this great National effort and to harness the energy for continuing engagement.

The voters of Ireland put their country first in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, according to Pat Cox, Campaign Director of Ireland for Europe, the independent people’s campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote.

“This was a mature vote in which the Irish people rejected those voices telling them to make the referendum a verdict on the government and on national policies,” said Mr Cox on hearing the strong indications that the Lisbon Treaty will be carried. “The voters also resisted the Trojan horses that were wheeled into this country bearing British eurosceptics, like the United Kingdom Independence Party, the Open Europe think-tank and the British-owned anti-European media.”

“Middle Ireland has reclaimed the Republic”, said National Campaign Co-ordinator, Brendan Halligan. “It has pronounced in favour of hope in the future, confidence in ourselves and trust in our EU partners.”

Ireland for Europe Chairperson, Brigid Laffan said that the electorate had rejected the zealots of the Left and of the Right. “With this massive endorsement, the voters of Ireland have also saved the European ideal. This is an emphatic statement about where we, as a people, stand and where we feel we belong.”

The campaign leaders also warmly thanked the hundreds of volunteers from all over Ireland whose personal conviction that a ‘Yes’ vote was in the best interests of their families and their country led them to bring that message to people in their own areas.

Ireland for Europe is offering a cash prize of €500 to a student who can correctly identify all of lies and misrepresentations in the Libertas ad in the Irish Independent today (01-10-09) and reference the correct article or position. E-mail us on info@irelandforeurope.ie for the terms and conditions. Closing date is 31st of October.

Why say yes to the Lisbon Treaty?

Its not just about tax and neutrality, but at least the guarantees are binding;
Its not just about the euro, though it has kept Ireland afloat during the financial storm (saving jobs and banks, unlike in Iceland);
Its not just about EU support, though structural funds have changed the face of Ireland since 1973;
Its also about keeping the Commissioner — making sure Irelands voice is heard long after the referenda.
The funds and membership were never at stake, but they are part of the bigger picture and should never be taken for granted.
The first no voters played a big role in broaching several issues. They can be proud of this — but their questions are now answered.
The Irish have legally binding guarantees that the EU will not interfere on tax, neutrality and a number of social matters.
The Irish now have their own man or woman in Brussels, the stability of a major currency and billions of euros in funding.
After the economic meltdown we now need to rebuild and work together as efficiently as possible. The Lisbon Treaty should help us all across Europe to do that.
We desperately need a yes on Friday 2 October. In the current climate, who wants to get bogged down in this? Who can afford to do that?
Howard Hudson, Anglo-Irish journalist, now based in The Netherlands

Help!!

Eire – do NOT let us down. Europe needs you. Together we are strong! Alone just selfish ….
Thomas Romantschuk
Finland

Join us in a new EU – where people and national parliaments are more involved

The development of EU creates more excitement when people are being asked to participate. You Irish, have as we Danes, more often the possibility of having your say when new treaties are being ratified, i.e. getting the approval by our Parliaments of the deal made by our governments. I believe this tradition proves the strength of our democracies.

Your no to the first referendum gave you a victory. You saved the one European Commissioner for each member state including the Irish. Congratulations, you got your victory (But this victory will only take action if you accept the treaty this time, whereas if you decline the number of European Commissioners will decline according to the present rule in the treaty of Nice – the   victory will have gone to waste.).

Now you are being asked again. This gives you the opportunity to secure your victory on the European Commissioner and look at the new possibilities in the treaty of Lisbon.

The Treaty of Lisbon has some important new changes to improve efficiency and continuity in the way the European Union works; to cross the border between the European Commission and the Council of Ministers and to enhance the democracy within the European Union. I will here focus on the democratic changes and highlight two positive changes for bringing the future development of the EU closer to the nations’ parliaments and to the citizens.

New involvement if National Parliaments

With the treaty of Lisbon the national parliaments will be involved in the initial decision whether a new step is necessary at EU level. Today most of the European National Parliaments are only involved in EU legislation when they have to transpose an EU Directive into national law, which is years after the discussion of the issue began. This means in practice that for many years in the development of new laws at EU level only the government’s voice has been heard. With the treaty of Lisbon your national parliament will be involved from the beginning,

The Citizens Initiative

The other new step is the Citizens Initiative.

This is totally new in the EU and actually in (I believe) all the member states. Today in most of the member states (if not all) a law can only be proposed by members of government or Parliament. In the EU new laws can only be proposed by the European Commission.

With the Citizens Initiative it is possible for 1 000 000 citizens (coming from different member states) to propose new laws to be debated in the EU.

I believe these two new democratic steps open really interesting opportunities for people coming from democracies where people’s opinions often are being called upon like the Danish and the Irish.

Let’s take advantage of these new possibilities together when you have voted Yes to the Treaty of Lisbon.

Richard Kokholm-Erichsen

What Ireland can do for the world

Don’t always ask what EU can do for Ireland or Ireland do for EU. Ask instead how Ireland best can make the world better.

Having worked in numerous conflict or developing countries all over the world the citizens on the ground have almost with one voice said that they wait, hope and trust in the European Union for moral guidance and straight forward partnership in international affairs. They might have left the trust in import of cheap products to China and the trust in military capacity to US.

But the world is waiting for Europe to take the moral lead and act with one voice. What small countries European countries like Ireland and the Scandinavian countries can do is to strengthen Europe as a global actor surpassing individual national interests.

A vote for the Lisbon Treaty is a vote for a strong moral lead for Europe strengthening peace and development in the world.

Dr. Bent Nørby Bonde, Denmark

European Infuence

When I look at the present european situation, I feel we need to reinforce our common capacity to have an influence for solving the world’s issues. Do we believe that Europe globally can have a better impact on the World’s problems ? If yes, then I hope that our Irish friends will vote “yes”. If you vote “no”, then Europe’s influence will be automatically diminished because it will give to the world the following message : “The Europeans are not able to improve their common political project”. We are not developing a european project just for the pleasure to have more power together. We are doing it because we believe that Europe can have a positive contribution to the world. We have a common responsibility as Europeans. Do we want to be more effective in working together ? In Pittsburgh, it clearly appears that the European influence has played a great role to push the Americans to more concern on risk control and long term view for the financial institutions. You, Irish friends, can contribute to this kind of positive influence by voting “yes”. With my best regards and respects,
Paul Jaeger
Former Chairman of “Association Jean Monnet” (Paris)
Consultant in Executive Search

Yes to the family

My wife and I have just been 7 wonderful days in Dublin with good friends. We are from Denmark, but our friends are Irish/American.
We saw all the posters for yes and no in the streets of Dublin, and we couldn’t stop talking about the voting on October 2nd, – how much we hope for a big yes.
Don’t make the same mistake that we did in Denmark in 1992, where there was a majority against the Treaty of Maastricht.
Denmark has now 4 stupid reservations to the treaty, that means, that we have to “stay outside”, when decisions are made in these matters, that concern us all anyhow.
We are Danes, but we are also Europeans at the same time. We need the Irish people to be a full member of the big family in Europe!

Hanne and Stig Locke, Denmark

Yes for Ireland in Europe

I am in China at the moment and I can see even better, how much the world
needs a united Europe.

All European nation states (small and big) are profiting from membership in
a strong European Union.

I am a Dutchman and I can’t imagine what influence our government could have
on our future without a vote in the European Union. Ireland should also have
its voice in the Union. Ireland has always been a part of Europe.

The Union needs more democracy and efficiency in taking decisions. That is
why we all need the Lisbon treaty.

Henrik H. Krone

Irish Referendum

In fighting the UK sceptics over the years it was always hugely supportive to have our Irish friends on our side.As a Welshman one could point at the changed circumstances which membership of the Union meant for small nations -independent ones like Ireland and hidden ones such as Wales.No longer were disputes fought in the narrow cockpit of Dublin Belfast Cardiff and London but played out on the wider pitch of Brussels Strasbourg Paris and Berlin.
Human nature never changes said one very wise man it can only change given a new set of circumstances.And that in essence is what the EU is-a new set of parameters where the rights of the smaller countries have equal value as those of the bigger entities.
But the EU is not a single event said another wise man it is a process and what the referendum is about is to ensure that the process of further cooperation,greater democratic practise and more relevance in the councils of the world comes about.

I am sure that on this occasion Ireland will rise to the challenge.

Aneurin Rhys Hughes

Comment on the Irish Vote

The EU is like a team. No team stronger than its weakest link. We have
always valued Ireland as a strong player in the European team.
Europe needs a strong Irish voice when confronting the challenges of
globalisation, climate change and financial recession.
Every European country must consider it a great priviledge to able to press
the microfone in EU meetings to advance their viewpoint, to listen to the
viewpoints of others and then be prepared to compromise.
As you do it in families, at work, in clubs and associations. In all matter
of life decisions need to be taken. The Lisbon Treaty seeks to make the
running of European insitutions more efficient.
To make it easier to compromise across language and cultural barriers.
Europe needs an Irish yes to the Lisbon Treaty. Vote yes on 2 October.

Kind regards

Povl Chr. Henningsen
Senior lecturer at the Aarhus Business Academy, Denmark

A Message from a Slovak Supporter

I have a personal affiliation to Ireland. It’s not only because I visited it many times and I admire its nature (colourful Connemara in these days must be splendid!) and music. The most important is that I have a lot of Irish friends, living either in Ireland or here on the Continent, who in my view are similar to Slovaks: doing everything at full speed, when working or celebrating, but always behaving responsibly and keeping strong family values. And the words family and responsibility are two key words in these days in your country – which path we, the European family, should take. Your decision is important to all of us and I do believe that in future European history books the year 2009 will be recorded as the year in which European integration got a positive impulse thanks to the responsible decision of the Irish nation.

Vlado Grieger, Slovakia

Letter on Opening of the Council

One key reform in the Lisbon Treaty will require the Council to ‘ meet in public when it deliberates and votes on a draft legislative act.’ [Treaty on European Union, Art. 16.8.] The implications of this reform are momentous. The Council, in which government ministers from every Member State debate and vote, represents a key element of the political drama of the European Union and has up till now always met behind closed doors. This means that people do not see the full story. People get suspicious when they cannot see what is being done in their name and it is increasingly clear in this referendum campaign that, especially among younger voters, there is a low level of trust in political leadership. The Lisbon Treaty will take one practical step to address this fundamental challenge.

When the Union was founded no one had any difficulty with the Council of Ministers meeting behind closed doors. That was how governments always dealt with each other. More than half a century later much has been achieved, but achievements in government and politics always bring new problems. Europe’s political leaders have acquired a bad habit of avoiding responsibility for their decisions by using ‘the Brussels excuse.’ When challenged about some measure on, say, health and safety or consumer protection they resort to an easy answer: ‘This was decided in Brussels.’

The result of this ongoing evasion is that people all over Europe have become alienated from a political system which they cannot hold to account. Ask any European citizen from any Member State about the popular view in their country of ‘the politicians’ and ‘Brussels’ and you’ll get the same sorry answer. There is a growing resentment of and contempt towards people in positions of power.

The Lisbon Treaty, by opening the doors of Council, will ensure that politicians can no longer evade responsibility for their decisions. They will have to change the way they do their job. The Lisbon Treaty will be a vital first step in bridging the democratic deficit of the European Union by opening the doors of the Council and removing ‘the Brussels excuse.’ This is a vital and positive reason for voting ‘yes’ in the coming referendum.

Lisbon Letter

Dear Madam,

We are a group of Irish and Irish Americans deeply concerned with the outcome of Friday’s referendum.  We are writing in our personal capacities, but are involved with many leading Irish organisations here and businesses with investments in Ireland.  The fact is that the result of this week’s vote will affect Ireland’s relationship not only with Europe, but also with the United States, and will do so profoundly.

The US has invested $80 billion in Ireland; more than it has in Brazil, Russia, India and China. 600 US companies in Ireland employ 100,000 and export Euro 60 billion of goods and services annually.  Why should the US make such major investments in such a small economy?  Ireland’s educated, enthusiastic workforce, allied with a relatively benign tax regime, are a crucial but insufficient explanation.  The x factor is the fact that Ireland is the only English speaking member of the Euro area.  A presence in Ireland provides access to the Internal Market, one of the largest consumer markets in the world.

Ireland needs precious foreign investment now more than ever at a time when competition for that investment is more intense than ever.  A no vote would indicate to many American investors that being integrated with international trade was not a priority for Ireland.  If the Irish are prepared to reject a Treaty concerned more with administrative issues than sovereignty, are they turning towards isolationism and can they be considered reliable trading partners?  This is not scaremongering.  The fact is these questions are being asked here now in advance of the referendum.

The debate over whether Ireland is closer to Berlin than Boston is misplaced.  Ireland has the luxury of being equally close to both.  A no vote would distance Ireland from both Boston and Berlin.  For the sake of Ireland’s relationship with the United States, as much as with Europe, a resounding yes is essential on Friday.

Yours etc.

Loretta Brennan Glucksman
Anthony Callaghan
John Duffy
John Fitzpatrick
Adrian Flannelly
Diarmuid Hogan
Adrian Jones
Paul Keary
Michelle Kessler
Bob McCann
Brendan McDonagh
Jack McDonnell
Kieran McLoughlin
Tom Meagher
Tom Moran
Bart Murphy
John Murphy
John O’Donoghue
Niall O’Dowd
Sheila O’Malley Fuchs
Tom O’Neill
Jim Quinn
John Ryan
Aine Sheridan
Al Smith IV

Referendum

As a Dane I have lived through quite a number of referenda on EU issues and also the often confusing or confused debates leading up to the referenda. One of the biggest mistakes has always been the idea that by holding back on European integration – or your country’s participation in it – can gain or maintain sovereignty. This of course is based on a very traditional concept of sovereignty as a zero-sum game, but in the modern interconnected world sovereignty is actually something you can only really exert in cooperation with others. Recent analysis actually shows that you rather loose something by excluding yourself from parts of the EU process, because Europe moves on and you loose the ability to influence the process. On the Euro the Danes learned during the financial and economic crises how costly it is to maintain a small currency when things get turbulent, and I believe envied the Irish and the Finns and others who were shielded by some of the worst effects of the crises because of the membership the common currency.

So we are all waiting for the Irish to give their contribution to moving Europe a little bit forward by voting yes at the referendum and give Europe a push forward to be able to create a response to the serious issues confronting us: Getting the economy back to normal, addressing the climate and energy issues and creating a good economic and political relationship between Europe and our neighbours and other parts of the world. None of this can be done by the Irish or the Danes alone. But if we go together with our European friends we can achieve a lot more.

Hans Marten

Danish Letters

With the referendum only a week away a growing support for the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland appears to be gaining ground. The outcome of the referendum is however not a foregone conclusion. As a Danish citizen I am much worried about the possibility for another rejection in Ireland. The future of the Lisbon Treaty is in the hands of the Irish people and I hope for a much needed yes. The Lisbon Treaty will not result in a dramatically fall in national voting power or in an economic fall out, often used arguments for voting no. The Lisbon Treaty is a mere matter of a modernization of the EU, meaning more openness and democracy, the maintenance of one Commissioner for each country as well as an enhancement of the effectiveness of the EU to tackle global challenges.

- Anne Hald Petersen, Copenhagen

The destiny of the Lisbon Treaty is in the hands of the Irish people. Voting against the ratification will have consequences beyond Ireland and a rejection will affect all 500 million citizens in Europe. When deciding how to vote the Irish people must consider this. Thankfully the latest opinion-poll shows that the Irish people will listen to their government and vote yes to the ratification of the Treaty.

- Nanna Kathrine Pedersen, Copenhagen

Europe Needs Ireland and Vice Versa

I hope the Irish people will vote YES on Friday.  To vote for the Lisbon Treaty is to vote for a more efficient and more accountable EU.  I work in Brussels and I know how cumbersome and obscure the bureaucracy can sometimes be.  I want to see it reformed. I want to see the Council of Ministers meeting in public, not behind closed doors.  I want the Commission to come under pressure from public petitions of the kind the new Treaty introduces (only a million signatures needed in a Europe of 500 million people).  I want EU decision-making to be speeded up by simpler voting rules.  I want to see workers’ rights strengthened by having a legally enforceable Charter of Fundamental Rights. The new Teaty gives us all that and more besides, and it doesn’t take away Irish neutrality or undermine family values as sme would have us believe.  So, it’s an all round good deal for Europe and for Ireland.

Ireland has become so much better off since joining the EU, and Ireland’s prosperity has been good for EU business too.  Now we have this awful recession, which countries can only deal with by pulling together – a further reason why we need an efficient and effective EU, with Ireland inside it pulling with the rest of us.

So on Friday go for it, Irish friends, and let’s build a better future and a better Europe together.

David Monkcom

Vote YES!

For centuries smaller countries like ours have been pawns in the chess game of major European Powers. For centuries countries like Germany, France and Great Britain have decided the path for Europe leaving no say or influence to countries like Ireland or Denmark.

The democratic system of the European Union vests more power in smaller nations like ours than our populations and sizes entitle. In order to decide anything in the EU the larger countries need to compromise with several smaller countries. Like ours. On every policy legislated by the European Parliament.

There has been nothing like the European Union in the history of the World. It is a first of international peace and democracy.

And though the European Union has introduced a far more democratic system than we have ever seen, it is far from a perfect democracy. Far from perfect the Lisbon Treaty still takes us a great step closer to a true European democracy, granting the European Parliament far more influence on almost all policy areas as introducing binding fundamental rights of freedom and non-discrimination. Granting far more influence to smaller countries.

So I implore you, brothers in Ireland

Master of Political Science

President of European Youth Denmark

Vote YES! on October 2nd.

Ireland for Europe Campaign leaders have appealed to the electorate to Vote ‘Yes’ in Friday’s referendum on Lisbon and send a clear and unequivocal signal to the rest of Europe and the world that Ireland’s destiny lies at the heart of Europe.

In a statement today Campaign Director Pat Cox, Chairperson Brigid Laffan and National Campaign Coordinator, Brendan Halligan said:

“Friday is a day of destiny whose consequences will be felt for generations. Ireland for Europe is a People’s Campaign moulded from the ground up and motivated by the conviction that Ireland’s future lies in full engagement with the European Union.

YES is the positive choice, YES is the right choice. It expresses hope in the future, confidence in ourselves and trust in our partners. The following back a YES:
Ireland’s job creators
The leading trade unions
Foreign companies who have invested in Ireland
The job creation agencies
All the foremost economists
Farming leaders
Community leaders
Chambers of Commerce
Women for Europe
Community leaders
Leading sports personalities
Leading Churchmen
Seamus Heany, who said on the 13th of September, ‘Europe is more than a bureaucracy, it’s an ideal’.

Remember the words of President Obama, ‘decisions are made by those who turn up’. Get out and vote.

NOTE:           A photographer from Maxwells will be present

WHAT:          IRELAND FOR EUROPE CALL TO GET OUT THE VOTE

WHO:

• Pat Cox, Campaign Director
• Brigid Laffan, Chairperson
• Brendan Halligan, National Campaign Coordinator

Representatives from Solicitors for Europe, Lawyers for Europe, Farmers for Europe, Senior Citizens for Europe, Women for Europe, Economists for Europe, Christians for Europe, Business for Europe, Charter Group, Sport for Europe, Filmmakers for Europe

VENUE:        Wolfe Tone Statue, St. Stephen’s Green (north east) Dublin

DATE:           TODAY, 30th September, 2009

TIME:            1PM

Ireland for Europe’s National Campaign Coordinator Brendan Halligan today warmly welcomed the statement by 26 former senior civil servants and diplomats calling for a Yes vote on Friday.

The statement, issued to the national press, was signed by 13 former Secretaries General of government departments, along with eight retired Irish Ambassadors and other senior former civil servants.  Among the signatories are Noel Dorr, former Secretary General Department of Foreign Affairs, Paddy Teahon, former Secretary General Department of An Taoiseach and Dermot Nally, former Secretary General to the Government.

Reflecting on the immense benefits membership of the EU has brought to Ireland the signatories of the statement stated:

“This experience should give confidence that the Lisbon Treaty will again bring benefits to Ireland.  The new treaty protects what has worked best in the Union and improves it in important ways…It sets out values and aims for the Union that are fully in line with the best traditions of the Irish people – aims and values such as peace, solidarity, the equality of European States and of every European Citizen, the promotion of social justice and the eradication of poverty…Our experience convinces us that Ireland’s interests clearly lie in remaining fully in the mainstream of European integration and policy-making.  We are convinced that a ‘No’ to a new Lisbon package in which our partners have worked so hard to meet Irish concerns would mean that much of the hard-earned goodwill towards Ireland would be lost.”

Welcoming the statement Brendan Halligan said, “This is a critical intervention in the referendum debate.  The signatories of the statement include some of the most talented and innovative civil servants ever to serve this country at the highest level.  These are people with an unparalleled knowledge of how the European Union works.  More importantly, they know how Ireland has advanced its agenda by forming alliances and partnerships based on trust and goodwill.  I warmly welcome the fact that, in relation to arguments advanced against the treaty, they have concluded ‘In reality, its formal provisions pose no threat and ensure that Irish influence and interests will not be undermined.’

“The men and women who signed this statement have served Ireland at the highest level.  They have also loyally served our national interest under governments of every hue.  This is a vital point.  It highlights the fact that our relationship with Europe transcends the term of any individual government.  This is important.  I fully acknowledge the anger that exists towards the current administration.  Indeed on a personal level I share a lot of that anger.  However, the referendum on Friday is not about this Government, or NAMA or expenses.  It is about the future of the country – not just for this generation but for our children and grandchildren.  I urge people to leave their anger aside for one day.  Make a positive decision and Vote Yes.

Public Lecture: The Economic, Legal and Social Benefits of the Lisbon Treaty

Tuesday 29th 1pm
Theatre Q Arts Block

Speakers:

1. Dr. Gavin Barrett, EU Constitutional Law Expert
2. Prof. Patrick Paul Walsh, Economist and Development Expert
3. Prof. Brian Nolan, Public Policy Expert

Hosted by Generation YES
& UCD Students’ Union

Analysis of a Yes Vote

The economic consequences of a Yes vote would be entirely positive.  Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would be taken as a definitive statement by the electorate that they wished Ireland to remain a loyal and constructive member of the European Union.

This would remove any uncertainty in the financial markets and the business community about Ireland’s future.

Cost of Borrowing

The immediate effect would be to stabilise, or perhaps lower, the cost of government borrowing and the cost of money to Irish financial institutions on the international money markets.

For the taxpayer this would be good news as it would avoid unnecessary increases in interest repayments.  It would also help avoid further unwanted cuts in state services.

For households, the direct effect would be to keep mortgage rates and interest charges on overdrafts and credit cards in line with present levels.

Pension Funds

Share prices would react favourably and provide the basis for a badly needed recovery in asset values.  This would have a positive effect on the value of pensions at a time when many people on private pensions are experiencing major reductions in income.

ECB Support

The continued support of the European Central Bank in propping up the Irish financial system would be assured.  This is crucial to the continued viability of the economy and the prospects for economic recovery.

Investment and Jobs

Domestic and foreign investors would gain confidence in the future of the economy and would give the go ahead with projects which have been put on hold due to uncertainty about the referendum result.  The long term employment effect would be entirely positive and would constitute the potential for renewed job creation.

Platform for Recovery

In general, a Yes vote would provide the platform for recovery.  In itself it would not guarantee recovery but it would provide the foundation for rebuilding the economy.  Success would depend on the quality of Irish policy- making.

Consequences of a No Vote

The consequences of a No vote would be immediate, wholly negative and devastating.

Increased Cost of Borrowing

The cost of government borrowing would rise immediately.  It would continue to increase over the medium term until such time as Ireland’s future relationship with the European Union was settled.

At present, Ireland is borrowing €25bn annually to bridge the deficit between state expenditure and tax revenues.  Every additional 1% on the cost of borrowing would impose a self inflicted penalty of €250m annually on the Irish taxpayer.

This penalty would be equivalent to the annual salaries of 5000 primary school teachers or nurses.

At present the differential between German and Irish ten year bank rates is around 1.5%.  That spread would widen further and could reach or exceed its previous level in excess of 2.5%.

The self imposed penalty of extra interest costs on the exchequer could only be offset by a combination of increases taxes and reduced expenditure.  Neither would be welcome.

Increased Costs for Consumers

Wholesale money market rates would rise in sympathy with the cost of sovereign debt.  As a result, householders would progressively have to pay increased mortgage repayments and higher charges on overdrafts and credit cards.  This would result in a direct cut in the standard of living.

Threat to Borrowing Capacity

Over the medium term, the capacity of the Irish state to borrow the quantities required at affordable rates would become a cause for concern.

The solvency of Irish financial institutions would be endangered if the level of support from the ECB were to weaken.

Membership of the Euro

Membership of the euro has been indispensable for low interest rates and exchange rate certainty.  More importantly, it has provided liquidity for the financial institutions.  If Ireland’s future involvement in the euro were to be thrown into doubt then the consequences for Ireland’s credit rating would be wholly negative.

Loss of Investor Confidence

The impact on investor confidence would be devastating.  Ireland’s strongest card as one of the most attractive investment locations would be destroyed. Foreign Direct Investment would dry up.  Multi-nationals already established here would start preparing to re-locate.  May Irish firms would abandon plans to invest in the domestic market.

Devastating Employment Effect

The medium to long term effect on employment would be devastating.  Existing jobs would disappear and future jobs would be foregone.  The Exchequer would lose revenue and simultaneously incur increased expenditure.

Loss of Pension Income

Share prices would fall in line with the collapse in investor confidence.  The impact on the future value of pensions would compound the loss of value experienced in the current crisis.

Political Risk

The medium-term consequences of a No vote would depend on whatever new relationship Ireland could negotiate with the other countries comprising the European Union.  If Ireland were left with no alternative but to withdraw from membership of the Union then the economic effect would be even more negative.  And it would become permanent.

In the long run, Ireland would have to live in isolation from the rest of Europe, with the possible exception of Britain.  It is quite feasible that Ireland would again become an economic province of Britain.

Withdrawal from the EU

Withdrawal from the European Union and recourse to membership of the European Economic Area as the most likely alternative would, of course, have far reaching consequences.  It would certainly entail the end of our involvement in the Common Agricultural Policy and access to the Regional and Structural Funds and any involvement in framing legislation on the Single Market.

Transferring to the European Economic Area, to join Norway and Iceland, would most likely mean an end to Irish participation in the Euro.  The long term consequences would be profoundly negative and would impose reverse the thrust of our long established economic policy.

Challenge

Faced with the scenarios, it would be in Ireland’s economic interests to secure a political deal with the other Member States  that did not require a withdrawal from the Union but, instead, allowed Ireland to negotiate some half-way house between full membership and the European Economic Area.

In the last analysis, the economic consequences of a No vote will depend on the outcome of those negotiations.   Various scenarios are separately analysed by Brigid Laffan in her paper on the Political Consequences of the Referendum Vote.

Brendan Halligan