Forum On Europe Meeting Galway 12th of May

[Bobert]

I am currently at the above meeting and have brought my laptop so that I can post on the events as they happen. I hope there will be no issue taken with this.

Because I have a laptop people seem to think I am employed by the Forum. I do not like that...

[Bobert]

A short movie, produced by the forum is being played, Simon Delaney is presenting. Seems to be highly in praise of what EU membership has done for us.

[kerrynorth]

Who are the speakers Bobert?

[Bobert]

Ganley and O'Neactain

[Bobert]

Declan Ganley speaking first;

I'll highlight points...

Takes issue with the video.

"You are not going to hear anything anti-Europe from me."

"I stand in awe of what Europe has achieved in the post-war years."

"...what do we get? We get an unaccountable and unelected president of Europe... how can he speak to China about democracy when [he] hasn't been elected?"

"Veto on taxation as useful as chocolate tea-pot, back doors created."

"The laws of the Union have primacy."

"You have to go and get your signature and get 999,999 other people to sign a form and they'll consider it. That's not democracy."

"We're handing over Brussels to Lobbyists."

"Even debating this, it takes your breath away."

On Article 50 "The only way a member state can voice it's opinion."

"We need this project to work."

"A vote No is not a vote against FF or FG."

"We don't want our voting weight reduced."

"There are a number of things we can put on the shoping list."

"We send these people back to brussels and make them start again. Thank you!"

All quotes by Declan Ganley.

[FutureTaoiseach]

Sounds like a great case being made by Ganley for rejection of this rag of a treaty.

[Bobert]

Sean speaking now, opens his speech in Irish.

"I am firmly, very, very strongly in favor of a yes vote."

"Despite what Declan has said, I am of the opinion this treaty is a good thing for Ireland"

"We have gained from Europe since 1972... we have become a strong member of the EU."

"This is exactly the agreement they came up with. It has no major faults as far as I'm concerned."

"Even France and the Netherlands... turned around around in the parliaments and passed it. And there's no major up-roar over that in France."

"The commission only has power to propose legislation."

"The Lisbon treaty gives more democracy then previous treaty."

"On the taxation issue... is agreement of the meber states. It has no change in this treaty. It can come in the back door... if it does it has to be agreed unanimously."

"D read an article there, he forgot to mention that it must be agreed unanimously."

"I can vouche for this treaty being a good deal going forward for Ireland."

"Do you think 90% of Dail are leading us up the garden path? They're not! They're right! This treaty has been analysed, scrutinised by the best in the country."

"Europe is watching."

"We know that if... without the EU membership, that would not be possible."

"It is the only deal we can get."

"What would happen, is that we would get all the blame for that stall. We would lose our influence."

"The man who called the CAP a weapon of mass destruction"

"I'll oppose Mandelson. The way to oppose him is not to turn down this treaty."

"Give a RESOUNDING YES TO lISBON."

i MUST SAY, HE IS A FANTASTIC SPEAKER.

[FutureTaoiseach]

Something that happened decades ago is irrelevant to Lisbon. This is not a vote on EU membership. SoN is wrong to bring that up.

[kerrynorth]

What's the turnout like Bobert?

[Bobert]

Excellent. 120