Complacency a threat to Lisbon - Kenny

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today expressed confidence that the Lisbon treaty would be passed but warned against complacency.

Speaking at the unveiling of his party’s new Lisbon Treaty website, Mr Kenny said his campaigning had entailed dealing with “issues of misinformation” and “downright untruths” about the Treaty.

He said most of these arguments have been “completely demolished” but warned that complacency “was always the enemy of a referendum”.

Mr Kenny said that during a recent canvass of Dublin commuters, he was struck by “a change in the nature” of people, noting that most were listening to earphones, making it tougher for politicians to discuss issues such as Lisbon.

The Fine Gael leader argued that a Yes vote was necessary if Ireland was to face “huge scale” challenges from the growth of China, India, and other emerging countries. He said that issues of poverty, food security, energy costs, and climate change had to be faced as part of Europe.

Gay Mitchell MEP, director of elections, said the Lisbon treaty would allow Ireland to maintain its role in the world. He noted that the party had been “chastened” by defeat in the first Nice referendum, however, and would not take the electorate for granted.

Also attending today’s event was Lucinda Creighton TD, director of elections for Dublin, who dismissed as “less than convincing” the arguments advanced by some No campaigners.

Fine Gael’s interactive Lisbon website and an online advertising campaign will carry contributions from the party’s five MEPs - Gay Mitchell, Avril Doyle, Jim Higgins, Mairead McGuinness, and Colm Burke.