Press Release, 30th June 2008

Global Vision urges France to drop the Lisbon Treaty

Ahead of the 1st July start of the French Presidency of the EU, Global Vision urges France to drop the Lisbon Treaty which was soundly rejected by the Irish people on 12 June 2008.

Ruth Lea, Director of Global Vision, said:

"We are aware that France has many ambitions for its 6-month Presidency including a review of CAP, a major environmental package, European defence, a new immigration initiative and the development of a Mediterranean Union. But, taking priority over all these ambitions, France will have to deal with the Lisbon Treaty in the wake of the Irish No vote."

"The Constitution was rejected by the French and Dutch people in 2005 and the Lisbon Treaty, the Constitution in all but name, was soundly rejected by the Irish on 12 June. There is clearly no popular support in the EU for further transfers of sovereignty from their countries to the centralising EU. It is high time the political élites of Europe recognised the people's will and served their electorates rather than dictate to and ride rough shod over them. Which part of ‘no' don't they understand?"

"Under no circumstances should Ireland be bullied into a second referendum if this is not the wish of the Irish people."

--ENDS--

Notes to editors

1. The Irish voted against the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum, held on Thursday 12 June 2008. The Irish Republic was the only one of the 27 EU member states allowed to hold a referendum on the Treaty. 53.4% of voters rejected the document, while 46.6% voted in favour. The French and the Dutch electorates voted against the Constitutional Treaty in 2005.

2. Under current law, all members must ratify every new treaty for it to be enforced.

3. To date, strictly only 11 member states have ratified the Lisbon Treaty: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. But the other 16 states are expected to ratify the treaty without mishap - except Ireland and, possibly, Poland and the Czech Republic.

4. It was agreed at the 19-20 June European Council that the EU "should consider the way forward" at the next European Council set for 15 October. By then, the Irish Government will have had an opportunity to consider its options concerning the Lisbon Treaty.