McEvaddy launches campaign against 'unintelligible' EU treaty
Monday April 21 2008
AVIATION entrepreneur Ulick McEvaddy has described the Lisbon treaty as "unintelligible drivel" which needs to be completely overhauled.
The high-profile businessman, who is a Fine Gael supporter, said he "agonised long and hard" before deciding to campaign against the treaty, which is widely supported by the business community.
Mr McEvaddy said he had read the treaty four times but that he still doesn't understand it.
"It is time we sent the treaty draftsman back to the drawing board, give them a copy of Bunreacht na hEireann and the American constitution and tell them to come back with something as intelligible as that," he said yesterday.
His comments came at a press conference organised by Libertas, the No campaign group headed up by businessman Declan Ganley.
Mr McEvaddy, who is a former army officer, said it was "not his style" to be on the same side of the fence as Sinn Fein.
"I agonised for weeks over this. I find it strange that I'm on the same side as Sinn Fein urging a no vote, so you can be sure I examined the treaty very carefully to see if there was any merit in it that would prevent me from voting no," he said.
Challenge
"The treaty is so ambiguous you could take every line and challenge it, and we are going to do that. It is unintelligible drivel."
He said he had talked to EU commissioner Charlie McCreevy, who was said to be saddened by his decision to join the No campaign.
One of the main concerns was tax harmonisation, said Mr McEvaddy, with Ireland's low base being "an engine for our success".
However, last night, Fianna Fail MEP Eoin Ryan asked why the main political parties and business groups would support a Yes vote, if the impact would affect existing corporation tax structures.
"The EU cannot take any decisions over taxation rates unless it is with the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU member states," Mr Ryan said.
At the weekend, the Referendum Commission launched a new website, www.lisbontreaty2008.ie, in a bid to inform voters in advance of the June polling day.
- Shane Hickey
