Government accused of 'scare tactics'

The Government has today been accused of using scare tactics in order to ensure the fiscal treaty referendum is passed.

Launching what it described as its biggest ever referendum campaign in Dublin earlier today, the Socialist Party criticised Minister for Finance Michael Noonan over his warning that he would have to introduce a tougher budget if a No vote is returned by the electorate.

Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy described Mr Noonan's comments as an "attempt to put a gun to the heads of the public and force them to vote Yes".

He said the referendum was "the people's opportunity to say no to austerity and to writing austerity into law".

Citing the low number of householders who have signed up for the household charge, Mr Murphy said the Socialist Party would unashamedly make the link between the struggle against unfair taxes and the introduction of further austerity measures if the referendum is passed.

Mr Murphy's colleague Joe Higgins TD accused the Government of using the "argument of fear" to scare voters. He said that instead of offering more stability, the fiscal treaty would bring about more instability both here and across the euro zone.

Mr Higgins said that many of the "lavish phrases" being used by the Government in the campaign echoed similar comments made during the second Lisbon Treaty referendum.

"Bitter experience has shown that those promises were absolutely worthless and false. Lisbon 2 did not provide the jobs that were promised and private investment has utterly collapsed. The new promises of stability are equally worthless," he said.

"The Irish Government cannot promise stability. The financial markets, which operate virtually economic dictatorship over the economy will respond to events right across Europe to suit their agenda," he added.

Cllr Ruth Coppinger rejected claims that Ireland would be isolated if it voted No in the referendum. She said that voting against the treaty would be an act of solidarity with citizens of other countries who don't have the opportunity to vote.

"A No vote in Ireland would give a huge boost to all those around Europe who are fighting the effects of austerity and it would be the first continent-wide response to the bondholders’ agenda."

The Socialist Party is to spend up to €55,000 on the campaign which will include sending out 1 million leaflets to householders. A total of €47,000 in funding is being provided by the European United Left while the rest will come from local fundraising events.

Mr Murphy said that while the Yes side will "massively overspend" compared to the No campaign during the referendum, the No side was optimistic that it would do well because of the increasing confidence of people "to fight back against austerity".

Mr Higgins said the Yes side would be bolstered by the print media, which he claimed were "stridently promoting a Yes vote".

He added that the bulk of the printed press had put similar pressure on members of the public to register for the household charge and would likely do so again now.