CHAMBERS IRELAND: THE PRESIDENT-ELECT of Chambers Ireland has expressed his opposition to the Lisbon Treaty, despite the organisation’s call for a Yes vote in next month’s referendum.
Dr Chris Coughlan said yesterday he was personally opposed to the treaty, although he respected the decision of Chambers Ireland to endorse it.
Dr Coughlan, a senior executive at Hewlett-Packard’s European Software Centre in Galway, is a director of Libertas, which is campaigning for a No vote......
The organisation, which represents 13,000 businesses, said that Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford chambers were calling for a Yes vote. Although no chamber came out against the treaty,
four chambers – Carrick-on-Shannon, Dundalk, Newbridge, and Drogheda – opted to remain neutral on the issue.
Describing himself as a “dedicated” European, Dr Coughlan said he had reached his decision to vote No after reading the treaty. “I support some aspects of it, but I am concerned about other aspects,” he explained.
“I’m worried about the growing democratic deficit in the European Union and people’s connection with it.
“From a citizen’s point of view, I would love to be able to vote for a president of Europe. I think the EU needs to involve the people more.”
Dr Coughlan also criticised what he said was a “complicated” treaty.
“As a committed European, I would love to have seen something similar to Bunreacht na hÉireann or the US constitution, something that any citizen could pick up, read and understand.”
A spokesman for Libertas said: “Chris Coughlan is a very significant and important figure in business and his support for our position is something we very much welcome.”
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Originally Posted by FutureTaoiseach