CHAMBERS IRELAND:THE PRESIDENT-ELECT of Chambers Ireland has expressed his opposition to the Lisbon Treaty, despite the organisation's call for a Yes vote in next month's referendum.
Dr Chris Coughlan said yesterday he was personally opposed to the treaty, although he respected the decision of Chambers Ireland to endorse it.
Dr Coughlan, a senior executive at Hewlett-Packard’s European Software Centre in Galway, is a director of Libertas, which is campaigning for a No vote.
The organisation, founded by Tuam-based businessman Declan Ganley, launched its campaign on the day the treaty was signed in Lisbon last December.
At a conference yesterday, current Chambers Ireland president David Pierce said the “vast majority” of its members supported ratification of the Lisbon treaty.
The organisation, which represents 13,000 businesses, said that Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford chambers were calling for a Yes vote. Although no chamber came out against the treaty, four chambers – Carrick-on-Shannon, Dundalk, Newbridge, and Drogheda – opted to remain neutral on the issue.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Dr Coughlan, who will take up the position of Chambers Ireland president later this year, stressed his opposition was on a personal basis.
“I respect the fact that there is overall support for the treaty in Chambers Ireland. My personal opinion on the treaty is a separate issue.”
Describing himself as a “dedicated” European, Dr Coughlan said he had reached his decision to vote No after reading the treaty. “I support some aspects of it, but I am concerned about other aspects,” he explained.
“I’m worried about the growing democratic deficit in the European Union and people’s connection with it.
“From a citizen’s point of view, I would love to be able to vote for a president of Europe. I think the EU needs to involve the people more.”
Dr Coughlan also criticised what he said was a “complicated” treaty.
“As a committed European, I would love to have seen something similar to Bunreacht na hÉireann or the US constitution, something that any citizen could pick up, read and understand.”
He said he had no plans as yet to take a public role in the Libertas campaign. “If people ask me about my support for Libertas’s position, I will give my opinion, but personally I don’t have time for anything else.”
A spokesman for Libertas said: “Chris Coughlan is a very significant and important figure in business and his support for our position is something we very much welcome.”
Last month, aviation entrepreneur Ulick McEvaddy announced he was publicly backing the Libertas campaign against the treaty. The group has said it is talking with several other business figures with a view to getting their endorsement.