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Waterford Chamber joins Forces with Business Alliance for Europe
Waterford Chamber has today (5th June) called on its 800 strong business members to vote Yes in next week’s Lisbon Treaty Referendum. “There is no room for complacency amongst the Waterford Business Community,” commented Chamber President Colin McGookin. “It is essential that Businesses show a strong turn and vote Yes to Lisbon.” The comments were made as Waterford Chamber as part of Ireland’s largest business network announced it has joined the Business Alliance for Europe which represents nearly 40 of Ireland's leading Business and Professional organisations.
According to President McGookin “Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will facilitate the reformation of the European Union to ensure that it is fit for purpose to meet the global challenges such as energy, climate change, international security, trade and emerging competitive economies. Moreover, a Yes vote next week will allow Ireland to maintain our veto over EU tax proposals and copper fastens our neutrality.”
CEO Monica Leech added “Ireland is a small island on the periphery of Europe. Waterford as Gateway to the South East Region has a port that is the closest point to mainland Europe. Europe has provided undreamed of opportunities to us in the past and will continue to do so in the future. At the core of the EU, we have always punched above our weight. It is vital therefore that we support and ratify a treaty that will increase democracy while also allowing vitally needed reforms to take place to ensure the smooth functioning of an institution with policies and procedures originally designed for a membership of six now straining to deal with 27 members.”
In partnership with the Business Alliance for Europe we are calling for an unequivocal Yes vote to the Lisbon Treaty. A Yes to the Lisbon Treaty will:
- Provide stability and certainty to the Irish economy as it moves into a new phase of development;
- Ensure Ireland remains a good place to do business and remains an attractive location for FDI;
- Copper fastens our veto over EU tax proposals;
- 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; and
- Continue the positive impact of the EU on job creation in Ireland.
“Ratification of the Treaty will help Ireland tackle the challenges it currently faces, help continue our global competitiveness, and will create an improved EU that works better for all. It’s good for Ireland and good for Waterford, and Waterford Chamber calls on businesses to vote Yes on June 12th,” Colin MCGookin concluded.
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