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Smith welcomes decisive Yes to Lisbon
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, T.D., has welcomed a decisive yes vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty.
“The Irish people and the people of Cavan and Monaghan have clearly given a ringing endorsement to the Lisbon Treaty. This is a vote in favour of jobs and recovery and sends an unequivocal message to the other 26 member states of the European Union, that Ireland sees its future at the very heart of Europe.
Our country is currently facing the biggest economic challenges for a generation. In supporting the Lisbon Treaty, thousands of jobs dependant on exports to a market of over 500 million people, are now more secure. Likewise, the hundreds of foreign companies operating in Ireland will clearly have their commitment to this country further reinforced by this yes vote.
On Monday, I travel to Brussels for a special meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers at which I will continue to press for measures to relieve the current pressures on the dairy sector. My efforts are now more likely to bear fruit as the important alliances Ireland has built up with likeminded EU states has been strengthened by this yes to Lisbon.
The Lisbon Treaty is about delivering a more efficient EU for all its 500 million people. It will make the EU a better place to work and to live and will I believe play a key role in returning our country to economic recovery and progress”, the Minister said.
