FG urges Lisbon Yes 'for country'

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today urged people to use their Lisbon vote as a vote for the country rather than a protest against the Government.

Speaking at Dublin's GPO as he announced his party's Yes campaign, Mr Kenny said the referendum is a "defining moment" for Ireland’s future.

“I strongly believe that Ireland's best interests lie in this country remaining at the heart of an efficient, effective and democratic European Union. That's what the Lisbon Treaty aims to create. Fine Gael will put the country first in campaigning strongly for a Yes vote in next month's referendum," he said.

"For me, membership of the European Union has been Ireland's most liberating change since the foundation of the State. It has enabled us to end our economic dependence on Britain and to achieve a level of respect and influence on the international stage far beyond our size.

“It would be very easy for me, as leader of Fine Gael, to sit back and allow this referendum to be dominated by domestic political issues. While I fully understand people’s anger, I do not want this crucial referendum to become a protest against the Government," Mr Kenny said.

Describing EU membership as a "cornerstone of Ireland’s success", he said: “That is why I am asking Fine Gael supporters in particular, and others who are unhappy with the performance of the Government, to vote for the country, rather than against the Government.

The Fine Gael leader said the legal guarantees given by the European partners in the wake of the last defeated referendum met the concerns expressed by people then.

“More recently, the support and stability of that euro zone has been crucial to the survival of the Irish banking system."

"At this time of economic uncertainty in Ireland, with growth forecasts falling, unemployment rapidly rising, tax revenues much lower that forecast, and a record budget deficit in prospect, it is more important than ever that Ireland strengthens its place in the European Union," he said.

“In this referendum, we have a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the European process and to strengthen our place at the heart of the Union. A strong 'Yes' vote will send a powerful message internationally that Ireland continues to be a central member of the evolving European process and that we are committed to the reforms necessary to equip the EU to meet the economic and political challenges it faces."

The Mayo TD also called for an "honest and rational" Lisbon debate based on facts "rather than misinformation" and said he was confident that the Irish people would "opt for solidarity and a future role of influence, rather than isolation" when voting on October 2nd.

Lucinda Creighton, Fine Gael's spokeswoman for European Affairs, said the economic argument for a Yes vote was clear.

“The EU is essential to our economic recovery. A Yes vote will bring confidence to those who create jobs, both indigenous business and overseas investors, and it will send a strong message that we are an integral part of the Common Market.

"As Paul Rellis, the managing director of Microsoft Ireland and president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland, has stated, our whole economic recovery is inextricably linked to a Yes vote," Ms Creighton said.

Billy Timmins, Fine Gael director of elections for campaign, called for a "positive and informed debate" on the treaty and said he was confident his party would run a "vibrant, visible and energetic campaign" for a Yes vote.

Separately, his Labour counterpart, Joe Costello, condemned what he said were plans by the UK Independence Party to send a leaflet to every Irish home urging a no vote in the referendum on October 2nd.

"The UK Independence Party is made up of a bunch of extreme right wingers who are notable only for their anti-European and anti-Irish views. We all remember their performance in the European Parliament when they dressed up in leprechaun hats and indulged in a grotesque performance of stage Irishness.

"It was all the more surprising therefore to see a UKIP MEP being invited to Dublin to launch the No to Lisbon 2 campaign," Mr Costello said.

He said UKIP's "poisonous political philosophy" had no Irish politics and that the party should be told "to butt out of our affairs".