OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE:YES CAMPAIGNERS owe the public a "great debate" on the Lisbon Treaty, the director of the Irish Alliance for Europe told an Oireachtas committee yesterday, arguing that the treaty would only be ratified if the public was fully informed on its provisions.
Addressing the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, Brendan Kiely warned that no one organisation could win the campaign on its own.
"If we look at the full spectrum of the polls since January the only conclusion that we can honestly draw is that the result of the referendum is still up for grabs by both sides. Victory, or defeat, is far from certain."
Mr Kiely, whose organisation is the largest civil society group campaigning for a Yes vote, said a "knowledge gap in the public mind" had allowed No campaigners to "perpetuate myths and lies" about the content of the treaty and the impact it would have on Europe and Ireland.
Among these were claims that under Article 113 of the treaty the European Court of Justice would be empowered to overrule Ireland's corporate tax rates.
"This is manifestly false. Seriously, would Ibec, the IDA, and the 30 other business organisations that support the alliance be in favour of the treaty if there was any threat to our tax rate?"
Claims that Ireland would be required to introduce abortion if the treaty was ratified were "completely untrue".
"There will be no change in this country's stance on abortion."