The Lisbon Treaty protects the rights of older people by preventing discrimination based on age, Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa has said.
Addressing a public meeting on the Treaty organised by the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament in Killiney, Co Dublin last night, Mr De Rossa said the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which would become legally binding if the Treaty is adopted, prohibited discrimination on the basis of age.
He said the Charter also guaranteed the right to access social security, healthcare and medical treatment and public services, he said.
“MEPS would be in a better position to insist on better protection against age discrimination,” Mr De Rossa said.
“The Lisbon Treaty is a progressive treaty and one that offers real potential to strive for a Union that respects all its citizens - older and younger - equally and to create a better Ireland in a better Europe,” he said.
The pro-Treaty group Ireland for Europe today urged unregistered voters to sign up to the electoral register before the deadline next Tuesday.
The group’s campaign director Pat Cox said: ““Voting free from intimidation and tyranny is a right that should not be taken for granted.”
“Not only are many around the world denied this basic right but many Irish patriots leaders have dedicated and sacrificed their lives for our right to vote,” he said.
Registration forms must be posted to local authorities before Tuesday and voter registration forms can be downloaded from www.vote.ie.
Labour’s Lisbon campaign director Joe Costello has again urged the electorate not to use their vote to protest at the Government.
“Because of the economic mess we are in I am worried that many people may want to vote No so as to have a go at the present Government,” he said.
Speaking at the Labour Parliamentary Party meeting in Waterford today, Mr Costello said the opportunity to vote against the Government will come very soon.
“But until October 2nd the message to the Government should be Yes to Lisbon,” he said.