'No' vote would threaten 140,000 new jobs, claims exporters group
FOREIGN direct investment projects could be under threat if the Lisbon Treaty is rejected for a second time.
And the chance to create 140,000 new jobs in the exporting sector will be scuppered if the 'No' campaign succeeds in swaying voters.
These warnings came from the president of the Irish Exporters Association, Liam Shanahan, who insisted yesterday that the EU was a "lifeboat" Ireland had to cling to.
He made the comments as the Government and other pro-treaty organisations continued to tackle the fallout from a new poll which found support for the treaty had dramatically faded.
The TNS/mrbi poll found there had been a plunge of eight points in the 'Yes' vote over the summer.
Those in support of the treaty now account for 46pc, while the 'No' side is at 29pc and 'don't knows' have risen by seven points to 25pc.
Controversial
Launching his association's five-point plan for economic recovery -- which includes a campaign for a 'Yes' vote -- Mr Shanahan said exporters could create 140,000 jobs over the next three years if the controversial treaty was passed.
However, he warned if it was rejected, the planned jobs would be lost and the existing 400,000 jobs in the sector would be under threat.
"We think that with a 'Yes' vote we can create over three years an additional 140,000 jobs to add to the existing 400,000," he said.
"But with a 'No' vote, not only do we lose the ability to create these jobs but we threaten existing jobs here in Ireland."
Mr Shanahan said he understood some foreign direct investment projects had been put on the long finger until the Lisbon Treaty was dealt with.
"I have it in my direct knowledge that until we see where we go in October on a 'Yes' vote, major foreign direct investment projects are on hold.
"If we are not at the centre of Europe, if we do not provide a gateway to Europe, who will invest with us? We have a very small internal market.
"So it is imperative that we say 'Yes' to Lisbon to put an end to the uncertainty and get foreign direct investment moving."
He pointed out that more than 65pc of Irish goods were exported to Europe last year and overall exports in 2008 totalled €152bn.
Branding treaty debates by the left and right as "irrelevant" he said people needed to understand that a 'No' vote would destroy jobs.
"We are in dire straits at the moment and a 'No' vote would be a catastrophe," he said.
"We have to make sure that the people who are undecided know that a 'No' vote will see us shoot ourselves in the foot. We need to encourage the export of goods and services and a 'Yes' vote helps us to do that. With a 'No' vote we will start exporting our children."
Mr Shanahan urged the electorate to separate their anger at the Government measures from the issue of the Lisbon Treaty.
"We have the guarantees. The Government have addressed legitimate concerns. Our economic viability depends on a 'Yes' vote.
"I think we are in economic chaos at the moment and the EU represents a lifeboat. We can either decide to be on that lifeboat or distance ourselves from it."
However, anti-Lisbon campaigner, Patricia McKenna yesterday accused Mr Shanahan of scare tactics. "The IDA's most recent report showed foreign direct investment actually increased since the treaty was rejected," she said.
"It is unfortunate these scare tactics are being used at a time when people are losing their jobs," she added.
- Patricia McDonagh
