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21/03/2002
SDLP leader warns Ireland against Euroscepticism
SDLP leader Mark Durkan has told delegates attending the final session of the National Forum on Europe that to reject the Nice Treaty would be “foolhardy”.
The SDLP leader made clear his party’s vigorous support for ratification of the Nice Treaty at the forum on Europe at Dublin Castle on Thursday March 21.
The Treaty of Nice, which envisages an enlargement of Europe and its powers, was agreed at Nice by Heads of State in December 2000 and signed by the Foreign Ministers of the 15 Member States on 26 February 2001. However Ireland’s voters rejected it last year in a referendum by 53.87 per cent to 46.13 per cent.
Speaking on Thursday Mr Durkan put forth a strong case for Ireland’s place in the European community and the benefits of ratifying the Treaty.
“Euroscepticism is no more noble in Ireland than it is in Britain,” Mr Durkan said.
“It would drag the entire country back towards a narrow smug self-serving nationalism, retard the human rights of citizens and reduce the international reputation Ireland enjoys world wide. No convincing case for Euroscepticism Irish style can be made.”
Mr Durkan also highlighted the SDLP’s support for the Euro and the need for its introduction north of the border.
“The EU has been vital in promoting closer relations between the two parts of the island and crucially between these islands. We have already abolished the economic border. We hope soon that we will also eliminate the monetary frontier by succeeding in bringing Northern Ireland into the single currency. The SDLP believes firmly that the UK should be part of the eurozone. The long-term benefits of euro membership are clear and substantial.”
(AMcE)
The SDLP leader made clear his party’s vigorous support for ratification of the Nice Treaty at the forum on Europe at Dublin Castle on Thursday March 21.
The Treaty of Nice, which envisages an enlargement of Europe and its powers, was agreed at Nice by Heads of State in December 2000 and signed by the Foreign Ministers of the 15 Member States on 26 February 2001. However Ireland’s voters rejected it last year in a referendum by 53.87 per cent to 46.13 per cent.
Speaking on Thursday Mr Durkan put forth a strong case for Ireland’s place in the European community and the benefits of ratifying the Treaty.
“Euroscepticism is no more noble in Ireland than it is in Britain,” Mr Durkan said.
“It would drag the entire country back towards a narrow smug self-serving nationalism, retard the human rights of citizens and reduce the international reputation Ireland enjoys world wide. No convincing case for Euroscepticism Irish style can be made.”
Mr Durkan also highlighted the SDLP’s support for the Euro and the need for its introduction north of the border.
“The EU has been vital in promoting closer relations between the two parts of the island and crucially between these islands. We have already abolished the economic border. We hope soon that we will also eliminate the monetary frontier by succeeding in bringing Northern Ireland into the single currency. The SDLP believes firmly that the UK should be part of the eurozone. The long-term benefits of euro membership are clear and substantial.”
(AMcE)
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