Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has described as outrageous comments from Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton that he would ask Europe if Ireland could vote again if the austerity treaty is defeated on May 31st.
Minister Bruton made his comments and then retracted them during a debate on Today FM this evening.
Deputy Doherty said the mask has slipped and that the government is intent on bullying the people into accepting a treaty that is detrimental to their interests.
He said: “The comments from Minister Bruton, that he would seek permission for a second referendum in the case of a no vote, are an outrage and an affront to democracy.
“And even though he retracted his comments the mask has slipped and it is clear that the government is intent on bullying the people into accepting a treaty that is detrimental to their interests.
“This government had to be threatened with legal action in order for it to announce a referendum. We now face the prospect of it not respecting the outcome of that referendum. This is the level of respect the government has for the people.”
His party colleague and fellow Donegal deputy Padraig MacLochlainn insisted that “No is the European answer to the Austerity Treaty.”
MacLochlainn was speaking at a press conference organised by the Campaign Against the Austerity Treaty alongside MEPs from Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Portugal.
Speaking after the press conference Deputy MacLochlainn said: “Today, we heard about how austerity is failing people across Europe and how Ireland will not be isolated if we reject the Austerity Treaty. I am convinced more than ever that No is the European answer to the Austerity Treaty. We know that anytime in the recent past when people across Europe have had a chance to vote they have rejected the pro-austerity parties.
“By voting No Ireland would be allying herself to the growing movement across Europe 20which wants Europe to focus on job creation and not on cutting domestic demand across our continent.”
OBAMA TELLS EU TO END AUSTERITY:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/may/17/barack-obama-eu-growth-crisis
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