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Originally Posted by draiocht23
Hello everyone, first of, my name is Robert, although, Bob, Bobert, and even Bert are acceptable. This is my first post and first chance to exercise my vote in my first referendum. I will do, and so far have done, traveled to every single debate and discussion within my locality, and by locality I mean the county of Galway. I was in attendance at the debate Mr. DeRossa has mentioned.
I looked at the front of the lecture hall used by the Lit & Deb society after having arrived (First one there.) Unsure of which side would be sitting on either side, I sat in the middle. Perhaps sub-consciously I was unsure of my own standing in this argument.
The debate was late starting due to the tardiness of Mr. DeRossa. He was seated on the left of the theatre, alongside Professor Helen Wallace a Economics professor from the London School of Economics. On the right side of the theatre, was Declan Ganley of Libertas, and to his right, sat Shannon Brooke Murphy, policy writer for Sinn Fein.
Ms. Murphy began firstly by introducing herself in French, English and as any Sinner would, in Irish. She went on to outline Sinn Fein's reasons for opposition to this treaty. She then made a point I took issue with. It was to do with a Sinn Fein policy regarding worker's rights. I can't recall the statement, but, from having come into possession of a Sinn Fein document concerning policy, I noticed she made a slip up. (A biscuit for whoever can tell me what Ms. Murphy's position is).
Next was Professor Helen Wallace. She began by introducing herself. Speaking with an English Accent, she went on to tell us of her tin whistle playing brother from Tuam, when suddenly, a voice rang out from the audience, a heckler ; "Enough about your family, talk about Europe.". The chairperson, a true professional, demanded order, warned the audience that heckling would not be tolerated, and then allowed the lady to continue. Earlier that day, I read in the NUIG print, "Sin", an article that made the point that, since joining the Eurozone, over forty billion EURO has been lost from the ISEQ Index. It wasn't mentioned. Earlier that week, Westminster had turned refused to hold a referendum on Lisbon. She made the point that we were fortunate to be in a country that was bound by it's constitution to hold a referendum. I couldn't have agreed with her more on that single point. Sadly, the rest went to pot.
Mr. DeRossa, arose, said his piece, despite being jibbed and jeered. I have little to say about Mr. DeRossa's speech as I found it dull. However, throughout it, Declan Ganley seemed to scoff, scowl and pass notes to Ms. Murphy, who also had a jolly good giggle. Now, I have read here, several times in fact, that one should get used to name calling if one is to be involved in politics. But, when you have two grown men, one a distinguished MEP, the other an international capitalist, argue and sulk in the same ways I saw my fellow Secondary School students argue, you almost feel like both arguments are irrelavent.
"Don't be fooled; Declan Ganley has his own personal interests in opposing this treaty." said Mr. DeRossa.
Ganley sprung from his seat, held out his right hand, pointed at DeRossa, and waited, waited for three solid minutes of DeRossa's monologue and then sat. DeRossa wouldn't let him speak.
Seated three rows behind my, was the Libertas Executive Director, Noaise Nunn. I glanced at him, he appeared unmoved.
Ganley's turn came around. Ganley, like the anonymous professor, has an English accent. But, his was more welcomed by the audience. He took the podium, carrying with him his infamous yellow folder. Which "Contains the original Treaty of Lisbon your government signed. The one they don't want you to read." he declared.
Turning to his right, he looked DeRossa in the eyes, and said, without looking away, "Mr. DeRossa is right. I do have a personal interest in this treaty." I expected a sudden gasp from the audience but none came. "My interest is this; I am a patriot, I love my country. I love Europe. I think Ireland has done well under Europe." Had there been a gasp, I'm sure there would've been a "Aww" at the lack of a more sinister motive.
He went on to tell us of how he traveled Europe, building businesses, saw first hand the benefits Europe offered. This was followed by his declaration that Ireland could do better under this Treaty. "This is our chance to tell the Government to go back to Europe and have them "give us a better product we can sell. We can't sell this."
Then came the Vetoe argument, he spoke of us loosing our veto. He claimed that, although we hadn't ever had to use it. It always gave us a strong hand at the poker table that is Brussels. He finished up by looking into, and pointing into the audience whilst declaring
"This affects your democracy, and your democracy, and your democracy." One of those fingers was pointed at me.
He sat down beside Ms. Murphy again. With great anticipation, I awaited the Q&A from the audience. As I feel I've gone on long enough, I'll only mention the most significant quotes.
"You will NOT invoke the ghosts of my ancestors who fought in 1916!" A student angry at the mentioning of the erosion of the Proclamation of 1916.
"Nokia, has eradicated over a hundred jobs at a factory in Germany. This was in a year Nokia made a record profit. It is a result of the greed of business men like Declan Ganley." An elderly gentleman whom I doubt to have been a student.
"No thank you." A rather powerful civil engineering student who said he had no position as of yet. The "No thank you." was in relation to questions being put to him by his peers."
"Ah yeah, good man." A phrase from a very sarcastic Declan Ganley addressed to Mr. DeRossa who made a jibe against Mr. Ganley
"Nah." The final cry from the audience.
Thank you.
*As this debate was held some time ago, I feel I should make the point that there is a chance that these quotes aren't accurate. I cannot entirely recall the night.
