Libertas.org

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has again refused to confirm whether Ireland will have the ability to veto the final package that emerges from the World Trade Talks, despite being asked to do so by Libertas, Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, the IFA, the ICMSA, and Labour at today's Forum on Europe.

The right to veto the WTO agreement is a critical tool in the Government's armoury, and its loss would be a devastating blow to Irish farmers.

Libertas has received, and made available to the public, a document from the EU commission which confirms its position that the veto has been abolished under Lisbon.

Fundamental questions have to be asked about the Government's ability to negotiate the Lisbon Treaty following revelations that two senior members of the cabinet do not understand how the EU commission works, Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley said this afternoon.

Speaking at a European Movement Debate in Allied Irish Bank headquarters, Mr. Ganley said that statements by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Social Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin that larger countries currently had more commissioners than Ireland were "very disturbing".

Mr. Ganley told the audience of over 200 AIB employees that in the context of Mrs. Coughlan's recent responsibilities in terms of representing Ireland's interests in critical WTO talks, the remarks were particularly offensive.