Minister for European Affairs, Dick Roche, T.D., rejects ‘eurosceptic’ approach of Reform Treaty opponents.

Minister Dick Roche T.D., said today that “Ireland’s relationship with Europe is vital and that our support for the Treaty is the logical next step”.  Speaking at the International Institute for European Affairs for the launch of the Consolidated Version of the EU Treaties, Minister Roche rejected the eurosceptic approach taken by the opponents of the Reform Treaty.

Minister Roche stated that,

“Ireland has reached an important moment in our EU membership.  There is universal recognition of the value of the Union to Ireland.   It has enabled us to fulfil cherished national ambitions.  It has brought jobs and prosperity to our shores.  Now that we have reached this advantageous position, we must decide what future we want for ourselves.  Do we want to remain at the heart of the EU, exerting influence and helping shape the Union in a direction favourable to us?   The alternative for us is to join the eurosceptic camp, thumb our noses at Europe and resolve to go it alone.  Amid all the confusion that the No campaign will attempt to sow, this is the basic choice that faces us.  They claim to be pro-European, but they are not!  What they really want is what they have always wanted – to put a distance between us and our European neighbours” 

At the launch, Minister Roche also rejected comments by Sinn Féin calling for a copy of the consolidated EU treaties to be sent to every household in the country. 

Minister Roche said:

“We cannot expect the busy voter to read through this very lengthy and complex legal text to gain a sense of what they should be weighing up when they go to vote.  The idea that a copy of this lengthy document should be sent to every home in the country is an impractical one.  The cost would be prohibitive and it would do little for public understanding of the Treaty.   I can think far better uses for the millions that this futile effort would cost.   What we need to provide is reliable summaries of the Treaty which will genuinely enhance public understanding.  Yesterday the Government’s plain guide to the Treaty was launched.  This offers a 22-page guide, in both Irish and English, to the main points of the Reform Treaty.”

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Press Office
14/02/2008
 
Note to Editors:

The Consolidated version of the Treaties launched today provides for the changes included in the Reform Treaty to be read in conjunction with the existing Treaties.  It provides an overall sense of how the EU treaties would look following ratification of the Reform Treaty in all 27 Member States.  Copies of the consolidated Treaties are available on the website, www.reformtreaty.ie.

The Reform Treaty Guide is available on the website: www.reformtreaty.ie.  Copies can be requested by post from the following address: Reform Treaty Guide, EU Division. Department of Foreign Affairs, 76-78 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.  The Guide can also be requested by phone on lo-call 1850 211 602.  The guide is available in both English and Irish.  Bilingual Irish/ English copies of the guide are attached in PDF form.