Public Debate Fiscal Treaty – Yes or No?

Speakers: Richard Boyd Barrett TD Ailbhe Smith (Feminist Open Forum), Stephen Donnelly TD Jim Power (Economist)

Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire

Thursday, 24 May, 8pm

“We are trying to facilitate a debate that the government is avoiding. The Government is running away from a proper debate on the crisis and today the Dail was adjourned for a week – the week before the referendum vote. Government triumphalism that there will be no changes to the treaty is completely irrelevant. The main issue is what will be the impact of the austerity required to meet the debt and deficit targets on the Irish economy.

It is very telling that it looks like Angela Merkel will be unable to get the treaty through the Bundestag before autumn because the SPD and Green Party are not willing to sign a treaty that will result in austerity until they hear commitments to jobs and growth and none of these are forthcoming.

The crisis in Greece and possible impact for Europe is coming to a crunch particularly in countries like Spain and the government is trivialising these issues. The real nature and structure of the ESM is not clear and certianly not democratic and the government is trying to avoid debating it.

We are delighted to have Stephen Donnelly and Jim Power debating this evening and at least they have a respect for the public that the government clearly does not have”.

For info/comment:

Richard Boyd Barrett TD 086 7814520

Cllr Melisa Halpin 086 3805793

Article source: http://richardboydbarrett.ie/2012/05/24/major-yes-no-debate-in-dun-laoghaire-while-enda-kenny-government-run-away-from-discussing-the-issues/