PD CAMPAIGN:THE RUN-UP to the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is not the time to allow "rampant sectoralism" to overtake strategic interest, according to former European Parliament president Pat Cox.
In comments directed at farmers, the trade unions and other groups who have indicated they may vote no because of unrelated grievances, Mr Cox cautioned against sectors exploiting the referendum for what he described as short-term gain.
"It is in Ireland's strategic interest to remain at the centre of European affairs," he said. "Nationally we should not risk cutting off our nose to spite our face. Self-indulgence up to June 12th in these terms risks a lasting hangover from June 13th onwards which would not serve us well."
Mr Cox was speaking at the launch of the Progressive Democrats' campaign for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum.
He joined party leader Senator Ciarán Cannon and Minister for Health Mary Harney in urging for a strong Yes vote on polling day.
"Our European experience so far has been entirely consistent with our national interests and values. Yet in spite of this, each time that we have been called upon to vote, critics have insisted at every juncture that the available Europe would be bad for Ireland. They were wrong before. They are wrong now."
Mr Cannon argued that the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty would lead to significant improvements in EU structures. He said it would allow the Union the flexibility to move forward while still allowing Ireland the right to retain vetoes on issues such as taxation, neutrality, defence and the right to life of the unborn.
"Claims by the No campaign that the treaty will lead to a loss of influence are based on a very ambiguous interpretation of the new arrangements," he said.
"From 2014 the commission will be reduced in size from 27 to 18, thus ensuring more meaningful roles for each commissioner. Every member state, large and small, will have one commissioner for 10 out of every 15 years. This represents a real gain for the smaller states like Ireland."
The new double majority voting system posed no threat to Ireland's influence within the EU, he added. "Opponents who claim that Ireland's vote is halved are wrong. They are only selectively counting one part of the double majority system. Even if the six larger states decide to come together to force through a new provision, they would still need the support of nine other smaller member states to be successful," he said.
Referring to Ireland's taxation regime, Ms Harney said the provisions of article 131 of the treaty would have "no bearing on the State's ability to set its own tax rate". She said if Ireland did vote No, it would lead to a two-speed Europe.