Mary Lou gives strong case for "NO" to the BBC

[factual]

Mary Lou -- who alone among Irish MEPs was nominated in a vote by her peers for the award of best MEP in the European Parliament -- has been selected by the BBC to set out the "no" side of the argument.

The below is what she had to say. As you can see she focuses on centralization, workers rights, and the fact that a NO will reopen the debate. Emphatically a NO vote will mean a better Europe.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7378421.stm



MARY LOU MCDONALD, SINN FEIN MEP writes:

European co-operation is essential to meet the economic and social challenges of modern Ireland.

Sinn Fein believes political power is being surrendered to EU institutions

We have a huge task in building a democratic Europe capable of meeting those challenges.

The debate over the coming weeks is not about whether Ireland should play its role in the EU.

That is a given. Our place in the EU is secure irrespective of the democratic outcome of the referendum.

We in Sinn Fein believe that this Treaty does not meet the needs of Ireland, of Europe and of the wider world and are calling on people to vote No.

The Treaty further centralises political power at the expense of member states. One hundred additional powers are gained by the EU institutions and in over 60 areas vetoes are surrendered.

Ireland's voting strength at the Council of Ministers is halved. The loss of a commissioner for five out of every 15 years comes at a time when big political issues such as tax harmonisation are on the agenda of the EU.

Disgracefully, this treaty does nothing to protect workers' rights and fails to protect essential public services.

It promotes nuclear power, is bad for the developing world and offers token gestures of increased democracy to member state parliaments and citizens.

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. A public debate is needed on what future we wish to shape.

By rejecting this treaty Ireland can re-open the debate on Europe and ensure that a better deal is secured. Europe deserves better.

[NotDevsSon]

What did the BBC do to deserve Mary Lou? :P

[David Cochrane]

What did the BBC do to deserve Mary Lou? :P

*slow claps NDS*

how will Enda do on all them Lisbon posters? cos NDS, if this was a referendum on Enda.................

[Rich OC]

What did the BBC do to deserve Mary Lou? :P

*slow claps NDS*

how will Enda do on all them Lisbon posters? cos NDS, if this was a referendum on Enda.................

..... it would be really weird the way that all the posters keep talking about Lisbon?

[KingKane]

Mary Lou -- who alone among Irish MEPs was voted best MEP by her Peers in the European Parliament -- has been selected by the BBC to set out the "no" side of the argument.

Can you cite some source for this Best MEP business, cos I looked here http://www.theparliament.com/index.php?id=618 and she ain't listed as a winner? She was up as a nominee for Employment MEP with Evelyne Gebhardt who won and Liz Lynne.

[Just Us]

What did the BBC do to deserve Mary Lou? :P

Even worse NDS, Killian Forde is running rings around Gemma Hussey on 106. GH admits that Killian knows far more than her about the LT!

[KingKane]

What did the BBC do to deserve Mary Lou? :P

Even worse NDS, Killian Forde is running rings around Gemma Hussey on 106. GH admits that Killian knows far more than her about the LT!

Sorry, Gemma Hussey hasn't actively involved in politics in 20 years nearly.

[NotDevsSon]

Mary Lou -- who alone among Irish MEPs was voted best MEP by her Peers in the European Parliament -- has been selected by the BBC to set out the "no" side of the argument.

Can you cite some source for this Best MEP business, cos I looked here http://www.theparliament.com/index.php?id=618 and she ain't listed.

Maybe she could win the prize for the MEP who turns least from Ireland!

[factual]

Mary Lou -- who alone among Irish MEPs was voted best MEP by her Peers in the European Parliament -- has been selected by the BBC to set out the "no" side of the argument.

Can you cite some source for this Best MEP business, cos I looked here http://www.theparliament.com/index.php?id=618 and she ain't listed as a winner? She was up as a nominee for Employment MEP with Evelyne Gebhardt who won and Liz Lynne.

She was nominated best MEP and the nomination was by vote and is the sole Irish MEP to have received a nomination.

[constitutionus]

What did the BBC do to deserve Mary Lou? :P

Even worse NDS, Killian Forde is running rings around Gemma Hussey on 106. GH admits that Killian knows far more than her about the LT!

Sorry, Gemma Hussey hasn't actively involved in politics in 20 years nearly.

thats why shes on.

they wanted someone not actively pushing an agenda to represent joe soap