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.

Commenting on this latest development, Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley said:

"What is clear here is that the Government is not answering this question. This strikes us as being strange, given how quickly they have moved to attack other claims about the Treaty.

The fact is that there is no veto. They have given it away under Lisbon. The EU commission in Dublin and the Government have been misleading the Irish people on this key issue.

The veto is a vital tool, particularly in the context of Peter Mandelson's current proposals which would destroy Irish agriculture.

Lisbon already gives more power to unaccountable elite in Brussels, and now Brian Cowen is refusing to deny that it gives them absolute power over the future of Ireland's rural economy.

The Government now appear to be guilty of a massive failure of negotiation. In that context, I cannot see how the Irish rural community can support this treaty".