Lisbon Treaty crucial for Irish jobs, Childers tells Kildare meeting

Posted by Bronwen Maher on September 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM

Labour MEP Nessa Childers has told a meeting of the North Kildare Labour Party that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is crucial for Irish jobs.

Speaking at a meeting today in the Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, she said, “Ireland’s reputation internationally has taken a hammering in recent months. We are all paying the price but none more so than the almost 450,000 people who are currently on the Live Register.

“Ratifying the Lisbon Treaty on the 2^nd October will represent a major step in restoring confidence in Ireland as a committed player in the EU. Let’s be under no illusions that boardrooms and CEOs across the world will be looking anxiously at Ireland when the result is declared on the 3^rd October. We must cast our votes vote with our eyes open vote with our best economic interests at heart.

“From an economic point of view, the Lisbon Treaty means the EU can work more effectively together as a single economic bloc when doing business with new powerhouse economies like China. An Ireland fully engaged with Europe has a much better chance of getting back on its feet than an Ireland which chooses to be isolated and inward looking.

Nessa Childers continued, “Since we joined the EU, Foreign Direct Investment has grown almost 1,000 fold, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. We now export 80% of everything we produce and Europe is our biggest customer by a long shot.

“It’s worth noting that US investment in Ireland in 2006 stood at more than the combined total of that country’s investment in Brazil, Russia, India and China. And why does the US and firms such as Intel right here in Kildare see Ireland as an important investment destination, a good place in which to do business and create jobs? Because we are a bridgehead into the European Union, the richest market in the world.

“Speaking as a mother of two children, I want my kids to have prospects. I want them to have good jobs when they leave school and college. Making Europe work better is what Lisbon is all about. A stronger Europe on the global stage with Ireland as a central player on the team of 27 is good for Irish workers, good for Irish business and good for Irish society.”

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