EU Forum axing sparks Lisbon row
THE Forum on Europe has been scrapped because of the "current budgetary situation", Taoiseach Brian Cowen revealed yesterday.
However, Libertas claimed the decision ahead of a Lisbon Treaty referendum re-run was made in favour of delivering "Government-produced propaganda".
Announcing the decision to axe the debate forum, Mr Cowen said the Oireachtas Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union would facilitate future discussion and debate among all the campaigning parties.
In a letter to political parties yesterday, Mr Cowen said the decision to scrap the forum had also been taken against the backdrop of the "current budgetary situation".
The forum, which was established in the aftermath of the Nice Treaty rejection in order to increase awareness of the European Union, obtained a budget of €3m last year for its Lisbon Treaty campaign.
Although acknowledging the importance of the 13 plenary meetings held in Dublin Castle and 23 regional meetings last year, Mr Cowen said this did not automatically mean the forum should continue indefinitely.
However, a spokesman for Libertas accused the Government of shutting down the debate forum in favour of "Government-produced propaganda".
"Seriously, what's next? First they try to restrict airtime for opponents of the treaty. Now they shut down debate in favour of Government-produced propaganda," he said.
- Aine Kerr Political Correspondent
