Socialist Party MEP Joe Higgins has condemned suggestions by Labour leader Eamon Gilmore that left-wing parties opposed to the Lisbon Treaty were putting the country’s economic future at risk for purely opportunistic motives.
Yesterday, Mr Gilmore suggested some of the anti-Treaty arguments being made by groups such as Sinn Féin and Joe Higgins's Socialist Party were putting the economy and the future of the country at risk.
But Mr Higgins today accused Mr Gilmore of joining the Yes side "scare tactics", and of being "out of touch" with sections his own Labour Party support base who, the Dublin MEP claimed, were intent on rejecting the treaty.
"Instead of putting blame for the economic catastrophe where it firmly lies, with the government, bankers and big builders, Mr Gilmore has joined the establishment chorus in saying that people like myself in the Socialist Party and others who are arguing for an alternative to the neo-liberal disaster pose a threat to this already failing economic system," he said.
Contrary to assertions from pro-Lisbon groups, Mr Higgins said the current economic crisis, rather than being an argument in favour of the treaty, was an argument for it to be rejected.
He said the poll in today's Irish Times showed a strong showing for the No side despite the media bias and the "huge" money being spent on the Yes side for "their scare tactics".
Speaking at a press conference focusing on the treaty's impact on public services yesterday, Mr Gilmore said: "It is the worst form of political opportunism and political cynicism from people who wallow in making things worse.
"The Labour Party is waging a positive campaign which has the future interests of the country at heart."
The Labour leader said: "Some of those campaigning for a No vote have suggested that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would facilitate the privatisation of essential public services.
"In fact, the opposite is the case. The Lisbon Reform Treaty will protect the right of citizens in Ireland and other EU countries to access to public services, such as health and education."
He said if Lisbon had posed any threat to public services the Labour Party and its colleagues in the Party of European Socialists would not be supporting it.