Parties unite in call for EU treaty referendum

CAMPAIGN AGAINST AUSTERITY TREATY LAUNCHED | PEOPLE MUST BE GIVEN THEIR SAY

The Campaign Against Austerity Treaty (CAAT) is demanding a referendum on the proposed EU Fiscal Treaty

SINN FÉIN is part of a new broad front campaign recently launched to demand a referendum on the proposed EU austerity treaty otherwise known as the fiscal compact treaty.
Announced on 24 January, the Campaign Against Austerity Treaty (CAAT) includes Sinn Féin, the United Left Alliance parties and the Workers’ Party.
The CAAT has challenged the Fine Gael/Labour Government to give the people a democratic vote on the treaty change whether or not it is legally necessary.
Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin said the compact was bad politics and bad economics, and would not solve the crisis. He said:
‘The proposed Eurozone austerity treaty is bad economics and bad politics. It seeks to impose draconian austerity on Ireland indefinitely into the future. The new 0.5% deficit ceiling and the tougher 5% annual reduction for member states in excess of the 60% debt-to-GDP ration will mean austerity in perpetuity.
“The current draft treaty also seeks to give significant additional responsibilities to both the European Commission and European Court of Justice. Member states who breach these new draconian rules are to be fined. Member states who do not ratify the treaty are to be denied access to bail-out funding in the future.
“Given the profound implications for Ireland arising from this treaty, the Government has a political obligation to hold a referendum. Unfortunately, the only changes the Government appears to have secured in the draft text is the insertion of words aimed at making a referendum less likely.”