A round-up of other Lisbon news...
Borrowing from Arthur
While thousands raised a glass for the 250th birthday of Guinness on Thursday, a team of anti-Lisbon activists was busy erecting posters using one of the brand’s most famous slogans.
“Lisbon is bad for you” say posters printed by socialist republican group Éirígí.
“It really catches the eye,” said Éirígí spokesman Daithí Mac an Mháistír. “The eyes of the world are on the Guinness celebrations and we decided to inject a bit of seriousness into it.
“Guinness has been great for Ireland but there’s little about Lisbon that’s any good for us.”
* We’ve heard that it’s good for trade, women and sport but bad for workers, neutrality and democracy – and now a business group has set out its stall that the Lisbon Treaty is, in fact, good for Canada.
The Ireland Canada Business Alliance says Canadian firms like Ireland because of our workforce, pro-business corporation tax regime and access we provide to EU consumers. It says this burning attraction can be fuelled by a Yes vote.
Offer to fly canvassers 'outrageous' - McKenna
Anti-Lisbon campaigner Patricia McKenna has asked the Referendum Commission to investigate an offer made by pro-treaty group Europe for Ireland to fly canvassers from Brussels to Dublin before the referendum.
Ms McKenna said the group had sent a letter, circulated by EU officials in Brussels, offering free flights to people so they could come and canvass for a Yes vote.
“It is absolutely outrageous that EU officials are offering free flights to people to come to canvass for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum”, she said. It showed the lengths to which EU officials would go on the issue.
A copy of the letter states: “You must agree in writing to canvass for a Yes vote while in Dublin. We will put you in touch with one of the relevant organisations in Dublin (if you do not turn up to canvass, your return flight may be jeopardised).”
Attempts to contact Europe for Ireland last night were unsuccessful.
In quotes
It is worrying that as the undecided voters begin to make up their minds towards the end of the campaign, a 2:1 majority are opting for the No side. – Labour spokesman on European affair Joe Costello responds to yesterday's Irish Timespoll
I once again stress the importance of completing the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty in all member states this autumn – European Commission President José Manuel Barroso speaking after Germany ratifies the Lisbon Treaty
You can't trust O'Leary or Gilmore, says Cóir
Lisbon opponent Cóir is using an old Hammer to drive a fresh nail into the Yes campaign with a video criticising many of the treaty’s best known proponents.
The video, titled Can’t Trust Them, which is set to the tune of MC Hammer’s hit U Can’t Touch This, features images of and quotes from Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary saying the people had spoken on Lisbon following the initial defeat of the treaty last year.
“Michael O’Leary said the European Commission was an evil empire and he seemed Euro-critical, but his about-turn now is strange to say the least,” Cóir spokesman Brian Hickey said.
“Regarding Eamon Gilmore, we believe it is a bad deal for workers and it is odd that the leader of the Labour Party should be seeking a Yes vote. He said last year the treaty was dead and we’re baffled as to why he has changed his opinion.”
The video, which does not feature O’Leary or Gilmore wearing the parachute pants that helped MC Hammer rise to fame, is available at
www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zjuyHZKgxCs