Voters warned about 'sticking two fingers up' at EU election
EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said yesterday the forthcoming European referendum is not a chance "for putting two fingers up" at the Government.
The former Finance Minister warned some people will be tempted to use the referendum to give the government "a good kick in the backside".
But he said voters must not see the referendum on the EU reform treaty as an opportunity to vent anger at the government.
Mr McCreevy said a decisive "yes" vote from Ireland will both strengthen Europe and Ireland's hand in Europe.
"The referendum is not a time for self-indulgence, for putting the two fingers up at a member state government or at the EU institutions towards whom people may well have some heartfelt grievances," he said.
"This is a time to recognise that a strong and efficient Europe interacting with the rest of the world from a position of strength is the only kind of Europe in which Ireland and its citizens can prosper."
Speaking at the Association of European Journalists in Dublin, Mr McCreevy said it might be tempting for some people to see the referendum as a chance to kick the government, but it would be "highly irresponsible" when major issues are at stake.
"It would be contrary to this country's national interest and damaging to our standing in Europe and the rest of the world.
"It would certainly fly in the face of the compelling need to enable the 27 member states to create the institutional framework needed to tackle some of the critical issues of our time and to do so on behalf of and in the interests of every member state and its citizens -- issues that can only be tackled collectively."
The decision of the Irish people will in no small way help determine whether Europe can move forward to collectively tackle the major global challenges that lie ahead, Mr McCreevy said.
"And make no mistake, it is only collectively that we can tackle them, backed up by all the power and influence that an EU of 500 million people yields," he said.
The Internal Market Commissioner said the major issues that can only be tackled by member states acting together include combating drug trafficking and dealing with global warming.
Mr McCreevy added the new treaty will reform the EU institutions, which many claim are beginning to creak after the union expanded from six to 27 states.
- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
