Tackling the Liars on Lisbon

05/06/08

éirígí activists gathered in Dublin’s Henry Street this afternoon (Thursday) to coincide with a pre-planned walk-about by some of the luminaries of the pro-Lisbon Treaty camp.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and Fianna Fáil minister Barry Andrews united to canvass the city centre location in the hope of garnering yes votes for next week’s (June 12) referendum.

However, onlookers witnessed éirígí’s Uncle EU shed some light on the realities of the Lisbon Treaty, much to the embarrassment of the establishment parties.

Dressed in attire reminiscent of the infamous US military recruitment icon Uncle Sam, but with the colours switched to the blue and yellow of the European Union, Uncle EU informed voters through a loudhailer what the establishment parties want them to back but are afraid to spell out.

These included: “Vote yes to Lisbon for a militarised Europe,” “Vote yes for more battle groups,” “Vote yes for a European defence agency,” and “Vote yes for a United States of Europe”.

The parties who are backing the Lisbon Treaty have become increasingly desperate in their attempts to ensure the electorate in the Twenty-Six Counties record a majority yes vote in next week’s referendum.

Faced with the growing momentum of the No campaign, Green Party minister Éamonn Ryan has threatened “chaos” if the Treaty is rejected and said such an outcome “would be very damaging to the interests of this country”.

éirígí’s Daithí Mac an Mháistír, speaking from the Henry Street protest, said Ryan’s outbursts and others like it are a signal that the pro-Treaty camp knows it is losing the battle for public opinion.

“The first tactic of the pro-Lisbon campaign was to treat the referendum as a minor issue and hope it would go unnoticed by the majority of those likely to vote No.

“When this failed they resorted to disinformation and now, in desperation, the most powerful political machines in this state have united and resorted to scare tactics and downright lies to force through the treaty by fear.

“éirígí will not allow these parties to peddle their propaganda to the public unchallenged and, consequently, we have confronted Kenny, Gilmore and Andrews and exposed their true colours to the public in Henry Street today. ”

Daithí continued: “Acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty will result in Ireland, becoming further entwined in an undemocratic, militarised super-state. Our activists have highlighted this threat today in a colourful and imaginative manner and informed people about how to counter it – Vote No on June 12.”