Martin attacks Lisbon wage posters
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 22:26
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has said the claim made about the minimum wage by some Lisbon No campaigners is one of the biggest misrepresentations about the agreement.
Speaking earlier today, the Minister referred to a campaign poster which suggested the minimum wage would be reduced under the treaty.
Minister Martin said the Yes side is now answering lots of questions from voters about the issue.
He stressed that the Government with the Oireachtas determines the level of the minimum wage.
Mr Martin also invited those responsible for the poster to withdraw it.
Cóir said the comments revealed the minister's 'desperation and absolute inability to debate on the issue.'
'The Irish political parties have shown they care nothing about the protection of workers and the right to earn a living wage,' the organisation claimed.
No vote would lead to crisis - Gormley
Minister for Environment John Gormley has said that a No vote in the referendum would set Ireland back and would present Ireland with another crisis.
Speaking to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, he said that would change the perception of Ireland radically and would have a negative impact.
Mr Gormley also rejected Sinn Féin suggestions that a Yes vote would mean increased military spending.
He said the Government had got guarantees that this was not the case. And he said that even if Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea wanted to spend money tomorrow, it would not be endorsed by the Cabinet.
Elsewhere, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said the referendum is a defining moment in Ireland's destiny.
Mr Cowen said Ireland's future success would flow from reaffirming the commitment to the European Union.
The Taoiseach was speaking in Dublin this afternoon when he launched a new publication by Tom Garvin on the life of former Taoiseach Seán Lemass.
He said in order for Ireland to remain at Europe's heart and protect hard-won gains the Lisbon Treaty must be ratified.
Mr Cowen declined to answer questions from the media at this afternoon's event and was loudly heckled by two members of the public on his arrival.
- Nine News: Sean Whelan, Europe Editor, reports that campaigners from the No and Yes camps engaged in a heated debate on Today with Pat Kenny
- Nine News: Brian Dowling reports that both sides have been campaigning for support, with just days to go to polling
- Six One News: Sean Whelan, Europe Editor, reports that campaigners from the No and Yes camps engaged in a heated debate on Today with Pat Kenny
- Six One News: Brian Dowling reports that both sides have been campaigning for support, with just days to go to polling
- Six One News: Joe O'Brien reports that a news conference by Labour leader Eamon Gilmore was disrupted by opponents of the treaty
- Six One News: Joe Higgins, Socialist Party MEP, says the debate has been undemocratic and dishonest
- One News: Conor Mark Kavanagh reports that the Small Firms Association wants Govt to introduce a loan guarantee scheme that would protect small businesses
- Morning Ireland: Cian McCormack went on a canvass with Conor Lenihan, Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, to see how he is convincing people to vote Yes
- Morning Ireland: Cian McCormack went out and about with Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit Alliance, to see how he is trying to get people to vote No
- Morning Ireland: Patricia McKenna, People's Movement, questions the European Commission's involvement in the Lisbon Referendum debate
- News At One: Niamh Sweeney speaks to shoppers and commuters in Dublin city centre as the Lisbon Treaty debate enters its final days
