87% of firms believe Yes vote important- survey

As many as 87 per cent of companies believe that acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty is important for Irish business, according to a new IBEC survey.

The report claims that 89 per cent of firms said they were satisfied that the Treaty allows Ireland to continue setting its own corporate tax rate.

IBEC is calling for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum.

However, just 20 per cent of Irish businesses surveyed said they were 'very aware' of the contents of the Treaty with 65 per cent claiming they were 'somewhat aware' and 15 per cent admitting they were 'unaware' of the contents

IBEC director of EU and International Affairs Brendan Butler said the survey confirmed that businesses were in favour of the Treaty.

"Irish employers have been a major beneficiary of membership of the EU and it is clear that the Lisbon Treaty is seen as a means of ensuring that this positive experience continues into the future," he said.

"Opponents of the Treaty paint a warped picture of the EU as a menacing force, determined to deprive us of rights and take away our freedoms... the Irish business community has not fallen for these cynical tactics, he added.

Mr Butler claimed that the Treaty would reform how decisions are made in the EU so that Europe can remain an engine for economic growth and prosperity.

"Ireland is the economic success story of Europe and this Treaty will allow us to do even better. A "Yes" vote will secure Ireland's place at the centre of Europe, and is a vote for jobs, the economy and Ireland's future," said Mr Butler.

Elsewhere, the Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore today accused No campaigners of misleading workers.

Speaking while out campaigning in Dun Laoghaire this morning, Gilmore said the Treaty includes significant advances for workers by enshrining rights which will be critically important in the making and interpreting of European Law in the future.

"The advances which the Lisbon Treaty represents for workers, in their jobs and as citizens, have been recognised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and by the European Trade Union Congress, both of whom are calling for a Yes Vote," said Mr Gilmore.

"Unfortunately, some opponents of the Treaty, including Sinn Fein, are misrepresenting those advances, for self-serving political motives. They are seeking to mislead Irish workers into voting No. They are doing a great disservice to workers in both Ireland and in Europe," he added.

Meanwhile, the Alliance for Europe said this morning that Irish peacekeeping capabilities will be enhanced under the Treaty.

The alliance, which is campaigning for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum, said that the Treaty will enable Irish peacekeepers to continue the tradition of Irish peacekeeping.

"It is vital that we are in a position to provide as much support as possible to Irish troops, especially in a multi-nation mission such as that in Chad. The Lisbon Treaty will ensure that sufficient cooperation procedures are in place for such humanitarian missions," said Niall McNelis, a spokesperson for the Irish Alliance for Europe.

"The No Side would lead you to believe that the Lisbon Treaty will lead to creeping militarisation of the EU. This is not true. What the Lisbon Treaty does is copper-fasten Ireland's neutrality while also ensuring that humanitarian missions are properly equipped and cooperation enhanced," he added.