THE MINISTER FOR European Affairs says that concerns over the household charge payment or septic tank charges should have no bearing on the outcome of the referendum on the Fiscal Compact Treaty because they are unrelated issues.
In an opinion piece for the Sunday Business Post, the junior minister says that a greater concern for the government in getting a ‘yes’ vote on is complacency among those who support the treaty.
Recent polls have suggested that the majority of voters support a yes vote, however Creighton said that such polls should not be interpreted by those voters as a reason not to bother turning out to cast their ballot.
Referring to the first Lisbon Treaty referendum, Creighton writes that “complacency, lack of engagement, and dare I say, a certain degree of arrogance ensured a decisive defeat”.
She adds that the government has a duty to ensure that citizens are provided with “full and impartial information” to help them form an opinion ahead of the referendum and says that younger voters can be better facilitated by ensuring that polling is done during the weekend, “preferably over two days”.
Independent TD Joe Higgins has said that Ireland is being bullied into ratifying the treaty. In response to concerns over the treaty, Enda Kenny claimed that the “Europe train is leaving the station” and Ireland needs to ensure it is on board by ratifying the treaty.
Sinn Féin party leader Gerry Adams is calling for the referendum to be rejected by voters, warning that it would lead to an extension of current austerity measures. He also criticised the government for allowing EU institutions to impose fines on Ireland in situations where they believe economic policies have not been sufficiently adhered to.
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