A date for the second Lisbon Treaty referendum should be set immediately to avoid the mistakes of last year, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said today.
Irish voters rejected the controversial charter by a margin of 110,000 votes in June 2008 after a lacklustre ‘yes’ campaign.
Mr Kenny, speaking after his party’s ard fheis in Dublin, said enough time should be given for a comprehensive debate on all issues surrounding the Treaty to avoid any voter confusion or apathy.
He also agreed a ‘yes’ vote would help restore economic confidence in the country.
“It is time that we have the date set for the Lisbon Referendum now,” he said.
“One of the fatal flaws the last time around was the prevarication that went on about refusing to name a time and a date.
“The reason we need to know early is because it allows the Government and Fine Gael to get out there and talk about those issues that were of concern to people on the last occasion.”
Mr Kenny claimed some EU countries have been ‘bad-mouthing’ Ireland abroad because the ‘no’ vote last year.
“Endorsing Lisbon on the next occasion will send a very clear message that we want to continue to be at the heart of Europe and other member states want us on board,” he added.
More than 5,000 delegates attended the Fine Gael ard fheis, which unveiled candidates for the local and European elections on June 5th.
Mr Kenny vowed in his televised presidential address that his party in power would fix the public finances within three years without raising existing income tax rates.
“Fine Gael is the only party that can actually guarantee real change in politics in Ireland,” he said today.
PA