STATEMENT ON EU TREATY OPT OUT DEMANDED BY M.E.P.

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been called upon to make a clear statement on the significance for Ireland in reserving the right to opt out of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which offers, inter-alia, protections for organised labour and the right to life.

Independent MEP Marian Harkin described Ireland’s decision as extraordinary given An Taoiseach’s criticism of the weakening of the Treaty originally negotiated by him during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.

“An Taoiseach has been quick to criticise the diluted Treaty but in reserving the right to opt out of a measure on human rights he has reached an extraordinary new high in ambivalence and in interpreting what he believes to be in the interests of the Irish people”, she said.

A clear cut explanation of what Ireland has reserved the right to opt out of was urgently needed in order that any such decision would not create further difficulty in achieving a positive outcome to the proposed referendum on the new EU Treaty, Independent MEP Marian Harkin said.