GREEN PARTY:THE GREEN Party said the guarantees Ireland has received on retaining its neutrality were cast-iron and could not be altered by the treaty.
In the party’s last press conference before polling, Green leader John Gormley described as “utterly without foundation” claims that Irish people would be conscripted into a European army.
Mr Gormley said the claim was first made last year and was still being voiced on national radio yesterday. The propaganda of the No side had worked to some degree but the claim had no truth.
“And on the whole question of military spending, it’s clear that the guarantee we have received is that Ireland is the author of its own destiny in that regard.
“We are proud that the guarantees we have introduced ensure that Ireland only participates in [operations] that are in line with the UN charter, that have a UN mandate, and are approved by the Oireachtas and Government,” he said yesterday.
Mr Gormley, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan, and Senator Deirdre de Búrca said at the conference that another key reason to back the treaty was because of its direct references to combating climate change.
Mr Gormley said the clauses on climate change had been specifically inserted into the treaty at the insistence of his party.
“It means that the position of the European Union is further bolstered as we go into the UN talks on climate change in Copenhagen [next December].”
Mr Ryan said if there was a Yes vote on Friday, it would pave the way for economic recovery.
“The recovery starts on Saturday. The next challenge ahead if we can get a Yes is to start the Green economy. I believe that we can get that started on Saturday.”