REACTION:EMPLOYERS' BODY Ibec has derided Sinn Féin's attempts to reach out to the business community in its campaign against the Lisbon Treaty. Ibec said the party has "zero credibility" on the economy.
Sinn Féin, which is the only Dáil party opposed to the treaty, yesterday launched a pamphlet targeted at business owners, outlining why it believes the treaty represents a "bad deal" for Irish business.
The leaflet, headlined "Protect your business - Vote No to Lisbon", argues that the treaty "undermines efforts to ensure that Ireland is economically successful by removing our right to a permanent Irish commissioner, changing the laws governing foreign direct investment, restricting the use of State aid in the provision of essential services, eg water and postal services, and opening the door to tax harmonisation".
Speaking at the launch, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said it was "irresponsible" for the Government to "sign up to a proposition which allows for the removal of the tax veto by the back door".
The party argues that Article 48 of the treaty will allow the European Council to move from unanimity to qualified majority voting in key areas including company taxation.
Responding to Sinn Féin's claims that the treaty would be bad for Irish business, Ibec's director of EU and international affairs Brendan Butler said: "This is a bit rich from an organisation that not so long ago was calling for an increase in Ireland's corporation tax rate".
He said Sinn Féin "could not be trusted" on the issue.
"Throughout this campaign, Sinn Féin has deliberately misled the Irish public on business issues, including Ireland's veto on tax and on WTO decisions.
"From a business perspective, the Lisbon Treaty is a complete no-brainer. The Irish economy has been a major beneficiary of membership of the EU and the Lisbon Treaty will further support Irish business and jobs."
Asked why more than 35 organisations, including the Small Firms Association, Chambers Ireland and the Irish Exporters Association, would endorse the treaty if it posed a threat to Irish business, Ms McDonald insisted that her party's concerns were shared by "very many" in the business community.
"We are as well-placed as anybody else to talk on matters related to business and job creation. We have a responsibility to set out very clearly the elements in the treaty that we believe will impact negatively," she said.