Foreign investment actually INCREASED after last ‘No’ vote

CLAIMS of losing inward investment and undermining Ireland’s position in Europe were rubbished on Tuesday by Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin who pointed out that 2008 actually saw a 14% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) on the previous year.
The growing toll of jobs losses is due to Fianna Fáil/PD/Green ministers’ incompetence, not Lisbon, he said.
The Sinn Féin TD accused desperate ‘Yes’ campaigners of scaremongering.
“In recent days we have heard voices on the Yes side of the Lisbon Treaty debate talk up the prospect of negative consequences of a second No vote.
“All of these claims were made during the last referendum campaign and have been proven false. They are nothing more than the politics of fear, designed to mislead and frighten people into supporting the Lisbon Treaty.
“On inward investment, in the 12 months since the last referendum, inward investment has actually increased. In July of this year, IDA CEO Barry O’Leary said: ‘It should be noted that 2008 saw a 14% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) on the previous year, bringing the total number of FDI investments in 2008 to 130.’”
On jobs, the primary cause of job losses since June 2008 has been the Fianna Fáil/PD/Green Party mismanagement of the economy, Ó Caoláin added.
“It is the right-wing economic policies pursued by this government that have caused the economic crisis. These same right-wing policies are contained in the Lisbon Treaty. If ratified, this treaty will make the economic crisis worse, not better.”
He said the same is true of Ireland’s position in Europe.
If ratified, the Lisbon Treaty will see Ireland and other smaller member states lose significantly at the Council of Ministers, with its voting strength dropping by more than 50% while larger states will increase their voting strength by more than 50%.
And despite claims by the government to have secured an Irish commissioner, if ratified, the Lisbon Treaty proposal for the reduction of the Commission will come into force from 2014 at which point Ireland will lose its commissioner for 5 out of every 15 years.
“The consequences of a Yes vote will cost Ireland dearly, economically and politically,” the Sinn Féin Dáil leader said. “It will damage our economy and reduce our power and influence in the EU.
“A No vote will provide a real opportunity for a new debate about the future of Europe and Ireland’s place within it. It will allow Ireland, in real partnership with our EU counterparts, to develop new policies and new approaches to tackle the pressing social and economic problems of our time.”

PROTEST: Sinn Féin protest at Fianna Fáil launch of Yes campaign