Libertas.org

Those supporting the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty have conducted a rather spectacular 180 degree turn on the issue of foreign interference in the Irish referendum, Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley is saying ahead of visits to Ireland this week by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission President Jose Barosso.

Merkel and Barosso's visits were, he said, "clearly intended to boost support for the Lisbon Treaty" and would be conducted in the "most message-controlled manner possible".

Mr. Ganley said that the gushing welcome afforded to the two would be in stark contrast to the stern warnings from the Yes campaign last December that foreign special interests would try to interfere in the Irish referendum process:

"Last December, we were repeatedly told by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that bogeymen from Europe would arrive here on our shores to try and scare us into voting in a particular way on the Lisbon Treaty. That didn't happen. The only foreign person to visit this country and speak sceptically about the Treaty was Danish MEP Jens-Peter Bonde, who was invited by the forum on Europe, and didn't even call for the Irish people to vote in a particular way.

Now, however, we are seeing on a weekly basis a parade of European leaders being flown in for photo-ops, issuing carefully worded statements approved by the Yes campaign which are shamelessly designed to scare the Irish people into supporting this Treaty.

When Jens Bonde came here, he debated in public with members of the Yes campaign, and allowed his views to be scrutinised and examined, which is only proper. However, when the German Chancellor comes here this week, she will lecture us from on high about how to vote, without encountering a single dissenting voice, or being asked any awkward questions.

It is only fitting that when these two people come here to tell us how to vote that they do so in a forum where their views can be challenged, let that be via a debate, or another forum.

Meanwhile, somebody should really take the time to ask the "Yes" campaign why it is that foreign interference was such a terrible idea in December, but is to be openly welcomed now."