FORUM ON EUROPE:EMPLOYERS GROUP Ibec has sought to clarify its position on the Lisbon Treaty's provisions concerning the liberalisation of services, after No campaigners used the organisation's submission to the Forum on Europe to support claims that the treaty would lead to privatisation of services such as health and education.
In its contribution to the forum's public consultation on the treaty, Ibec outlined a number of changes contained in the treaty that it believes are key for the business community. The submission was provided to the forum in April.
No campaigners have since seized on the following paragraph to buttress arguments that the treaty would usher in the privatisation of services: "Through our membership of the EU many markets have been subject to liberalisation and through this process new business opportunities have been created for Irish companies. The Lisbon Reform Treaty creates the legal basis for the liberalisation of services of general economic interest (Art. 106). A Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty creates the potential for increased opportunities for Irish business particularly in areas subject to increasing liberalisation such as health, education, transport, energy and the environment."
In a statement to The Irish Times, Ibec's director of EU and International Affairs, Brendan Butler, said: "Public services of general interest such as education and health remain the primary responsibility of national governments. This is clearly set out in the treaty. In some areas however, it is important that EU countries work together, for example research and development and combating world health threats such as a flu pandemic.
"In some areas the private sector will have a role to play. When it comes to providing medicines and vaccines, for example, clearly the private sector will be involved, in co-operation with governments.
"The suggestion that Europe, much of which has far better functioning health systems than Ireland, poses some sort of threat to the quality of our own system is ridiculous."
Ibec recently launched an extensive poster campaign urging people to vote in favour of the treaty.