REFERENDUM OUTCOME:MINISTER FOR the Environment John Gormley has said the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum is going to be close, but he is confident the Yes vote will prevail.
The Green Party leader acknowledged yesterday the gap was “tight”, and said the No campaign had been very prominent.
“It will be tight. These things ebb and flow, but it will be tight, no question about it. It all depends on turnout. We have to get enough people to vote.
“One of the important points also is that there is dissatisfaction and difficulties in relation to rising food prices and fuel prices. There may well be a temptation, because of dissatisfaction, to give the political establishment a kick by voting No.”
Mr Gormley is the first senior Minister to publicly state that the outcome is likely to be close, and acknowledge that the No campaign has made an impact. Nonetheless, he did emphasise his belief that the Yes side would win.
He was speaking in Waterford yesterday where he visited a blue flag beach in Tramore and a new waste-water treatment plant.
He said the two projects were examples of the positive effect of the EU on Ireland’s environment.
“Without EU directives our environment would be in a much worse state. The Lisbon Treaty is taking it one step further to further improve the environment. There’s a direct reference for the first time to the combating of climate change, and there is also an article specifically dealing with energy security.”
Mr Gormley also warned about the implication for climate change and for the environment should the referendum be defeated.
“The climate change conference in Copenhagen is going ahead in 2009. I see the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by then as absolutely vital. If it is defeated it is a very serious blow.”
