18 Apr 2012, 18:14
An Oireachtas Sub-Committee, established to examine the EU Fiscal Treaty, this morning continued its wide ranging engagement with trade union, business and academic voices.
Addressing the Sub-Committee this morning were Megan Greene, Roubini Global Economics; Jimmy Kelly and Michael Taft of the Unite Trade Union and Professor Brian Lucey, Trinity College Dublin.
At a session later in the morning, Seán Murphy of Chambers Ireland, economists Terrence McDonough of NUI Galway and Dr Andrew Storey of UCD and TCD Professor of Law Gerry Whyte outlined their perspectives on the Treaty.
The Sub-Committee on the Referendum on the Intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union will incorporate the main strands of the debates into a report to be published in early May.
Committee Chairman Dominic Hannigan TD says: “The Sub-Committee heard a wide range of perspectives on the upcoming Fiscal Treaty referendum.
“There was a widely held opinion among the speakers that the Treaty was far from perfect. The debate this morning centred on which option - Yes or No - would provide more confidence and stability for Irish citizens and businesses on the ground. Speakers and Committee Members differed on the extent to which European Union support and funding would be forthcoming to Ireland in the event of a No vote.
“Both sides of the debate are agreed that citizens should be equipped with the clear information they need when they go to vote on 31 May. All the views put forward this week will inform a Sub-Committee report to be published in advance of referendum day.”
View video clips of Chairman Dominic Hannigan TD reflect on the two sessions this morning:
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ENDS
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Sub-Committee Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Colm Keaveney, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Mick Wallace, TD
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly