Republican Sinn Féin: EU Tightening Grip

national | eu | press release Tuesday June 10, 2008 19:31 by Republican Sinn Féin - Republican Sinn Féin saoirse at iol dot ie Republican Sinn Féin, 223 Parnell St, Dublin 1

Ó Brádaigh calls for a Vote NO

Statement from Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President Republican Sinn Féin.

“The EU is tightening its grip. The Lisbon Treaty means, basically, more power to Brussels and less power to the State here,” said Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, President Republican Sinn Féin.

He was addressing a meeting in Strokestown, Co Roscommon of Comhairle Chúige Chonnacht which is composed of delegates from all counties in Connacht and Longford.

Lisbon is another step in the centralisation process of the EU. It is admitted to being 96% the proposed EU Constitution which was rejected by the people of France and of Holland in referendums.

Now it is back as a ‘Treaty’ with no referendums at all except in the 26-County State. There will be no commissioner for five out of every 15 years and 60 more policy areas will lose the veto which was there since 1973.

Germany’s say on the Council of Ministers will be doubled from 8% to 17%. France’s weight in decision making will go from 8% to 13% and that of Britain and Italy jump by half.

It was a’ power grab’ by the big states for control of this new union. The voting weight of the State would be halved to just 1%.

The European Defence Agency was being pushed centre stage to promote the European Arms Industry and endanger neutrality more than ever. We were being involved in the ‘proxy wars’ of the bigger states such as France’s defence of its interests in Chad.

Ó Brádaigh urged Republican Sinn Féin members to push hard for a NO vote with posters and leaflets as well as canvassing support.