Fury over Lisbon card cost
Martin to spend €220,000 posting treaty update to homes
Tuesday July 07 2009
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Micheal Martin is embroiled in a blazing row over his plan to send out postcards costing €220,000, giving an update on the Lisbon Treaty.
On the same day as the Government finally published the legislation to allow for the referendum to be held, Mr Martin was accused of abusing taxpayers' money.
The Government will announce the date of the referendum once the legislation is rushed through the Dail and Seanad this week.
Postcards are being sent to households explaining the outcome of last month's European Council, confirming the retention of a European Commissioner, the lack of impact from the treaty on abortion, neutrality and tax, along with the protection of workers rights.
Mr Martin said the distribution is part of the "Government's determined effort to ensure that the public will be well informed about the treaty and Ireland's legal guarantees".
But 'No' campaigners described the plan as an "expensive propaganda stunt, designed to give voters an illusion of legal certainty".
Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, now chair of the People's Movement, said public money is being used to peddle Government spin that the guarantees will somehow change the impact on Ireland.
"But this is legally impossible without changes to the actual text of the treaty, or legally binding protocols attached to, and ratified by, all member states before the treaty comes into force," she said.
"It is inherently wrong for the Government to use money from both sides to try and hoodwink the people. Those on the 'No' side who can effectively challenge this spin don't have the resources to counter this propaganda campaign."
Mr Martin is adamant the campaign is necessary. "The Government has ensured that when the people vote on the Lisbon Treaty in October, it will come with new legally binding guarantees to address the concerns which emerged during the referendum campaign last year," he said.
The postcard is printed in Irish and English and will be available in audio-visual and Braille formats, and 1.9 million copies will be distributed.
The design of the postcards cost €3,324, while the printing cost was €56,690 and the cost of posting to 1.9 million households is €162,950.
The Dail and the Seanad are scheduled to debate the 28th Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009 this week.
Fine Gael welcomed the bill and foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins said the treaty's adoption would give greater certainty to Europe.
"And it should assist Ireland in dealing with the current economic difficulties. It will also demonstrate the desire of Irish people to remain at the heart of Europe," he said.
Labour's European Affairs spokesman Joe Costello said it was outrageous to deal with such an important bill in such a short time.
"All deputies who wish to speak should have the opportunity of doing so and the debate should not be limited to the main spokespersons," he said.
- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
