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Minister Launches Chamber's 'YES to Lisbon' Campaign |
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Speaking at the Waterford Chamber AGM last Monday, 26th May Minister Martin Cullen put forward the business case for voting YES to the Lisbon Treaty. The Minister congratulated the Chamber on its pro-Lisbon campaign which he launched on the night.
Waterford Chamber is a prominent member of the Business Alliance for Europe which represents nearly 40 of Ireland's leading Business and Professional organisations. In partnership with the Business Alliance for Europe the Chamber is calling for a YES vote to the Lisbon Treaty.
The Lisbon Treaty is about reforming the EU to ensure the EU is fit for purpose to meet the new challenges of the 21st century like energy security, climate change and the raise of China, India and Brazil. A YES to the Lisbon Treaty will lead to a more efficient and effective EU and that directly benefits Ireland. The Lisbon Treaty also maintains Ireland's veto over EU tax proposals and copper fastens our neutrality.
A YES to the Lisbon Treaty will:
1. Provide stability and certainty to the Irish economy as it moves into a new phase of development
2. Copper fastens our veto over EU tax proposals
3. Ensure Ireland remains a good place to do business and remains an attractive location for FDI
4. Enable the continued development of the Single Market opening up vast new opportunities to Irish businesses in the EU market of nearly 500 million people
5. Continue the positive impact of the EU on job creation in Ireland. Since Ireland joined the EU 1 million jobs have been created (There are 2.1 million jobs in Ireland).
A NO to the Lisbon Treaty will COST Ireland. Ireland will lose influence and goodwill among our EU partners which is vital to achieving our goals in the EU. There is no cost free rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.
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