Taoiseach Brian Cowen today unveiled Fianna Fáil’s campaign for a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum on June 12th.
Speaking today in Dublin, Mr Cowen said his party would mount a vigorous campaign in support of the Treaty and attacked the No campaign for attempting to "distort" the document's contents.
He insisted ratification of the treaty was vital to allow the EU to meet ongoing challenges.
“To tackle modern forces such as globalisation, climate change and cross-border crime, countries cannot stand alone; and for us this means that we need an EU which has the structures, policies and procedures capable of having an impact,” Mr Cowen said.
“This is what lies at the heart of the Lisbon Reform Treaty and this is why it is important for Ireland and for Europe that it be ratified.”
The Taoiseach dismissed as “absurd” arguments that the treaty be rejected because it is too complex. “What is important is not the complexity of the document but that independent and accessible information be available on exactly what the provisions of the treaty mean,” he said.
Mr Cowen said that in addition to the pamphlet recently distributed to every household by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Referendum Commission has a budget of €5 million to inform citizens of the content of the treaty.
Mr Cowen said engagement with Europe is the best means for securing Ireland’s interests in an internationalised economy and global village. He also said he believed the “basic disposition” of Irish people is pro-Europe.
Fianna Fáil has adopted the slogan: "Good for Ireland, Good for Europe" for its campaign.
The party has also produced a video, which it will post on its website and on the video-sharing website youtube.
The Government's battle to win the referendum was given a boost by the latest Sunday Business Postopinion poll. Published yesterday, it showed Yes support up three percentage points to 38; No support down three percentage points to 28 points; and don't knows static at 34 percentage points.
Launching the Fianna Fail campaign at the Hugh Lane gallery, Mr Cowen was joined by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan; Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin; Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern; Government Chief Whip Pat Carey; Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea; Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen; Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey; Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith; Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche; Minister for Children Barry Andrews and MEP Brian Crowley.
Mr Cowen admitted the Fianna Fáil campaign would be expensive but said he did not yet know exactly how much would be spent in the bid to win a Yes vote. He said much of the work by party members and activists would be "voluntary".
Fianna Fáil will hold 50 public meetings on the treaty between now and the referendum ballot on June 12th.
Mr Cowen and other Fianna Fáil members of Government will also travel around the country on a Yes to Lisbon "campaign bus".
The Labour Party launched its Lisbon Treaty campaign yesterday and leader Eamon Gilmore said it would provide greater openness and accountability to EU decision-making.
The Irish Alliance for Europe, which represents 30 pro-treaty business organisations, is holding an information roadshow in Cork today.
The People Before Profit Alliance group is launching its campaign for a No vote on Wednesday.