The Midlands Gateway Chamber has called on the business community in the Midlands to vote yes in the upcoming Lisbon referendum.
According to the Midlands Gateway Chamber a more efficient single market and a stronger Europe on the world stage will be to the benefit of indigenous and multinational industry in Ireland.
Dominic Doheny, president of the Midlands Gateway Chamber said, “The European single market offers Irish businesses access to 500 million customers. We export over 70 per cent of our products and services, many of which are sold in the EU. The Lisbon Treaty offers a more efficient single market, one that offers enormous opportunities for Irish companies. Access to international markets outside the EU is also enhanced through supporting the treaty. It proposes more efficient decision-making processes and streamlined institutions that will work for the enlarged EU, which now features 27 members. The treaty is about making sure that EU institutions will be able to operate more efficiently and this will help the EU to bring forward new laws so as to help promote economic development and combat social problems in Europe. It is required because the institutions which ran a 15 state EU are not sustainable for a 27 state EU. This treaty is not anti democracy as some would have you believe. It is anti bureaucracy.”
Speaking about the COIR campaign Dominic Doheny also expressed his disappointment at “the way this organisation is spreading misleading information, particularly in relation to the sensitive issue of the minimum wage”. He said “The Lisbon Treaty is actually a progressive step for workers' rights. The Charter of Fundamental Rights will grant Treaty status to many new protections including a right of collective bargaining and action and a right to information and consultation. The Lisbon Treaty also introduces a new social clause which means that the Union will be obliged to consider the social consequences of its decisions. In addition, the European Council in June agreed a Solemn Declaration on the importance the EU attaches to workers' rights.” He called for an open and honest debate on the issues that actually pertain to the Lisbon Treaty, as opposed to the discussion of a large amount of issues at present which have no relation to the Treaty.
Dominic continued that the treaty “sets out a clearer distinction of who does what between the EU and member states as well as providing an enhanced system of democratic checks and balances including a stronger say for national parliaments on EU legislative proposals.”
If Ireland votes ‘Yes’, the Lisbon Treaty will enter into force. Dominic commented that “Ireland’s EU future is kept in Irish hands with a YES vote. Ireland’s position as a committed and engaged Member State is fully affirmed. It is a message to the wider world that we are certain about where we stand.”
The Midlands Gateway Chamber represents over 700 businesses in the region. Focusing on the core issues of enterprise, infrastructure and quality of life, the Chamber is a key player in ensuring that the Midlands is seen as an attractive location for families and for industry to locate.
Over 350,000 people live within the catchment of the Midlands Gateway and it has a labour force that is expanding 35 per cent faster than the national average. Further information about the Chamber can be obtained at www.midlandsgatewaychamber.ie
The Midlands has benefitted immensely from EU membership and associated funding over the past number of years. A range of projects from infrastructure, tourism, childcare, education, environment and enterprise have all been made possible by EU engagement. Further details are available on www.talktoeu.ie
