Government has lost all credibility on Europe - Doolan
Published: 5 July, 2007
Speaking today during the debate on the next steps for Europe with Minister
Dick Roche at the National Forum on Europe, Sinn Féin's Dublin Spokesperson
on European Affairs Cllr. Daithí Doolan has outlined what the next steps for
Europe must be if the EU is to maintain any public confidence.
Challenging Minister Dick Roche Cllr. Doolan said:
"The reformed treaty that the Minister has presented here today is nothing
short of a rehash of old style politics. It is the very politics that was
roundly rejected by the peoples of Netherlands and France in the most recent
EU Constitution referenda.
"Following the defeat of the constitution the Irish government claimed to be
in a period of reflection over the last 12 months, but their recent attempt
to opt out of the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights clearly shows they
never actually really engaged with the people of Ireland or attempted to
meet their needs. The negotiated opt out will undermine any credibility this
government has with the public and especially the trade union movement."
Cllr. Doolan continued:
"Sinn Féin is very clear what the next steps are that need to be taken. Sinn
Féin wants to work with others in developing a Social Model to meet the
demands of people in a 21st Century Europe. Our vision of that model is
based on the promotion of human rights, an EU wide action plan on Climate
Change, solidarity, conflict resolution and an economy servicing the people
and their needs. Currently what is on offer is a re-packaged EU Constitution
with a renamed Foreign Minister promoting militarism an unbridled free
market and self interest."
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