Day 17: the Fiscal Treaty

Far Right have no place in debate according to Dominic Halligan of Labour. Sinn Féin launch Ard Fheis 2012. Paypal seeks a YES vote. No second vote on Treaty, regardless of what Bruton says. Libertas advises Enda Kenny on playing poker.

Danish MEP Morten Messerschmidt has called on a NO vote by the Irish people. Labour's Dominic Halligan has told voters that we do not need the Far Right Wing politics of Mr. Messerschmidt in Ireland or in Europe. He said that Ireland was far from being "supine" or "a group of YES men". He said that there was nothing supine in Ireland looking for a growth agenda in Europe and that the Stability Treaty provides for such growth.

Sinn Féin launched their Ard Fheis agenda, which will look closely at the Austerity Treaty. Pearse Doherty said "“This Ard Fheis provides Sinn Féin with an opportunity to promote our message that there is hope, there is a political alternative and there is a way out of the economic crisis. What you can expect to see at this Ard Fheis are party members preparing themselves for the political challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Party colleague Padraig MacLochlainn said that NO is the answer to the austerity treaty. He was speaking at a function with MEPs from Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Portugal. MacLochlainn said "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.”

Louth TD Gerald Nash has told voters that PayPal is looking for a YES vote in the coming referendum. Louise Phelan, PayPal Vice-president, gave reasons today at an event in Dundalk as to why businesses like PayPal want to see a Yes vote. In conclusion Mr. Nash said "The support of a company such as PayPal for the Treaty which is prepared to invest in Ireland's future represents food for thought for those who have yet to make up their minds on a Treaty of critical importance to Ireland's future."

Meanwhile, The Minister for Agriculture has said that their will be no second vote on the stability treaty stating "Irish people need certainty, and the sooner they get it the better. Other countries don’t need Ireland to vote Yes; this is a decision that the Irish people will make on May 31st and that decision will be final. Of course we continue to encourage people to vote Yes, to ensure stability and recovery in Ireland."

This was in response to a question answered by Minister Richard Bruton who said on Today FM that there would be a second vote. He has claimed however that this was in the heat of a debate.

Libertas has said that their "No Deal" message is gaining momentum. They provided some poker tips to Enda Kenny on how to negotiate and advised people to read David McWilliam's latest blog where he asks "With such uncertainty and the likelihood of more bailouts and negotiations ahead, would it be that smart to show our hand right now, particularly as conventional wisdom is about to shift?".