Cowen insists Lisbon will not 'cause us nightmares'
TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has hit out against claims that the Lisbon Treaty will lead to a "nightmarish scenario" of increased immigration and jobs competition.
In another hard-hitting speech, he said people had to have confidence in the country's ability to continue its development in Europe.
He said it was important to reject those who were saying that the country would be "destroyed" if there was a Yes vote on June 12.
"There are some shrill voices who, consistently since we became members of the European Community, have always suggested that any treaty we sign will bring out a nightmarish scenario, we'd all be overwhelmed, we'd lose our culture, we wouldn't be able to compete, we'd fall back," he said.
Yesterday, Mr Cowen again spoke strongly about the importance of passing the Lisbon Treaty --which he has described as his "number one" priority in Government. He called on voters to extend a further welcome to the 120 million people in the 10 accession states, who had emerged from the shadow of communism.
"Are we going to send a signal to those on the June 12 that we're a self-indulgent, selfish people? A people that don't want to bring them in as we were brought in 1972?" he asked.
His comments in Birr and Ferbane in Offaly came in advance of his party's official launch of its Lisbon Treaty campaign today in Dublin.
The Lisbon Treaty will allow citizens to build a better Europe, the Labour Party claimed.
Launching his party's campaign for a yes vote, leader Eamon Gilmore said the charter will put more power in the hands of member states like Ireland.
He said the Lisbon Treaty will bring far greater openness and accountability to European decision-making.
"Lisbon also marks a major advance on the road to a social Europe.
The Treaty contains a social clause whereby the social issues must be taken into account when defining and implementing EU policy.
"It provides for the first time a clear legal basis for European laws to protect public services,'' he said.
Mr Gilmore warned that the battle for Lisbon success would be won and lost on the doorsteps around the country.
"For the Labour Party, and for all those who share our core values of democracy, equality, community and solidarity, Lisbon is an important advance that deserves our fulsome support.''
"The choice in the Lisbon Referendum is simple -- do we want Europe as it is, or do we want a more effective, more democratic Europe?" A new Red C opinion poll shows that the Yes vote has increased by three points to 38pc compared to a similar poll two weeks ago, while the No vote has decreased by three points to 28pc.
However, with just four weeks to go before polling day, 34pc of voters remain undecided.
Labour TD Joe Costello, who also attended the launch of his party's €200,000 campaign in Dublin, said the latest opinion poll on the treaty was encouraging.
"But clearly many people remain to be convinced. It is our view in the Labour Party that the referendum will be won or lost on the doorsteps of Ireland over the next month," he said.
- Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
