By IRNA,
London : Sinn Fein is accusing EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso of interfering in Ireland’s referendum vote next month on the new Lisbon Treaty.
Sinn Fein member of the European parliament (MEP), Mary Lou McDonald, described Barroso’s warning as “threatening” when saying that Ireland will if the treaty, designed to replace the failed constitution, is not ratified on June 12.
The EU commission president was quoted saying on Monday that there is “no plan B” if the referendum is not carried by the Irish people and “it would have a very negative effect for the EU.” The Sinn Fein MEP, who is opposed to the new treaty, said that his remarks “unhelpful” and could “backfire” on the yes campaign, backed by the Irish government.
“Once you enter into the territory of saying ‘if you don’t vote for this catastrophe will follow’ then I think that’s coercive and I don’t think it is of any assistance to a good democratic debate,” she said, according to the Irish Examiner.
Ireland is the only EU country holding a referendum on the treaty signed in Lisbon last December and a positive vote as crucial as all member countries are obliged to ratify it before it can coming into force, with 2009 as a target date.
Last month, an opinion poll published in the Business Post, showed a dramatic swing against the treaty, finding 35 per cent in favour, down by 8 per cent since March, those opposing was up seven points to 31 per cent, while 34 per cent said they were undecided.
McDonald also accused the European Commission and Irish Government of withholding information from the Irish people to “smooth the passage” of the Lisbon Treaty.
She was referring to a report in the French newspaper, Le Figaro, last week, saying that the Irish government has interfered in the publication of the country’s white paper outlining plans for security and defence over the next 15 years.
“Dublin fears that the parts of white paper devoted to the expansion of European defence policy will feed the no vote and ruin the referendum,” Le Figaro said.
Ireland caused problems in its last referendum on the EU’s Nice Treaty in 2001, when just under 54 per cent voted against and just over 46 per cent in favour, despite the country being largely pro- European.
The result led to the treaty reaffirming that it did not affect Ireland’s traditional neutrality, before a second referendum in 2002 reversed the vote 63 per cent to 37 per cent but when also 51 per cent of the electorate failed to vote.
Sinn Fein is the only major Irish party to be campaigning against the ratification of the latest treaty, but reports have spoken of conflict between the ruling Fianna Fail and main opposition Fine Gael in supporting a positive vote.