In advance of the Referendum the Irish Parliament has established a Sub Committee to consider the Treaty and host a debate about its implication for both Ireland and the EU.
The Committee heard from a range of people during the week including Alliance Party Vice Chair Councillor Andrew Muir on Thursday 5 April 2012.
Addressing the Committee, Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir stated “Since our formation in 1970 Alliance has been a pro-European and internationalist party and have always placed great store in the importance of strong North/South links and cooperation.”
Commenting on the EU Fiscal Treaty, Cllr Muir remarked “Alliance is supportive of an enhanced role for the European Union in providing fiscal stability. Within our mutual interdependence lies the most effective response to the new realities. The upcoming referendum is clearly a decision for the Irish electorate. However, the Alliance Party would urge them to consider voting ‘Yes’. Recent figures show that just under two fifths of Northern Ireland’s exports go to the Republic of Ireland. A Yes vote will give the markets confidence and hopefully provide the basis for increased cross border trade.”
Concluding, Cllr Muir stated “In the current economic climate it has never been so important to explore more practical ways in which we can increase cooperation to grow our economies, strengthen our societies and deliver public services more efficiently. Beyond the Treaty and after the Referendum we are aware that Ireland will hold the presidency of the European Union next year. We look forward to that opportunity for us to explore enhanced North/South links between our regions and continuing the dialogue”
ENDS
Note to editors Committee known as Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the Referendum on the Intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union More info at http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/mediazone/pressreleases/name-7477-en.html Full Alliance submission attached