People Before Profit

Richard Boyd Barrett Speaks on Lisbon Treaty

pbpdse — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Click on image above to watch the video from RTE

People before Profit Alliance Lisbon Treaty Press Statement

pbpdse — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:04:38 +0000

The People before Profit Alliance held a press conference this morning announcing the launch to their No Campaign to the Lisbon Treaty.

A statement was read by Eddie Conlon on behalf of People Before Profit Alliance

“Today People before Profit are announcing the start of their No to the Lisbon Treaty Campaign. The Lisbon Treaty is essentially a redrafted version of the EU Constitution which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. Ireland is the only state, out of the 27 EU member states, to have a referendum which means that the Irish are, in effect, voting on behalf of 490 million Europeans.

“We are campaigning for a No vote on three grounds. Firstly, we are opposed to the further militarisation of the EU. In contrast to all other areas of public policy, Lisbon calls for all member states to increase their military spending and obliges them to make their facilities available for EU military activity. It extends the grounds on which the EU can participate in military interventions beyond the boarders of the EU and strengthens the links between the EU and NATO. Lisbon also allow for the incorporation of Irish forces into EU military structures and planning, which are dominated by states with colonial histories and use military operations for political-economic ends.

“Secondly, Lisbon does nothing to seriously address the democratic deficit that lies at the heart of the EU project. The voting balance within the EU would change to favour of countries with larger populations. Lisbon does nothing to address the fact that the only EU body with the power to draft laws is the European Commission. This body is not elected by the people of Europe, so there is no direct link between us and them. Most worryingly of all, Lisbon would reduce the areas where governments could veto policy proposals.

“Thirdly, Lisbon would make privatisation of our public services easier. Already, the EU is forcing people in wealthier regions to compete with the poor and jobless in a race to the bottom. This will get worse with Lisbon as the EU seeks to create even more favorable conditions for big business to operate in an unrestricted European-wide market.

“Undistorted competition is the key EU organising principle and is the framework for all other policies. Since the 1980s the EU has moved to restructure essential public services such as water and sanitation, public transport, energy, post and telecoms as private business. Now, with the Lisbon Treaty, our health, education and social care systems are in their sights. This is confirmed by IBECs recent statement that “a yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty creates the potential for increased opportunities for Irish business particularly in areas subject to increasing liberalisation such as health [and] education”.

“People before Profit will be conducting a national campaign for a No Vote to the Lisbon Treaty. We will be distributing 150,000 thousand leaflets, 5,000 posters and canvassing door-to-door in more than 15 constituencies. Unlike, the Yes campaign are financial means are modest and we rely on support from our members and activists who have been tirelessly fundraising for many months.

“People before Profit believes that the choice facing Irish voters is simple; Do we want a corporate, privatized Europe, with profit and competition as a priority? Or, do we want a social, democratic and demilitarized Europe that defends access to high–quality public services and that puts the interests of the people of Europe before profit?

ENDS

CHAIR:

Eddie Conlon (087-7925120)

(People before Profit Steering Committee)

SPEAKERS:

Richard Boyd Barrett (087-6329511)

(People before Profit candidate: Dun Laoghaire Constituency),

Des Bonass (087-7925120)

(UNITE union)

Ailbhe Smyth (087-2055433)

(Co-Convenor, People Before Profit Alliance)

Quote of the Day on RTE’s Guide to Lisbon

pbpdse — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:04:22 +0000

For more see:

http://www.rte.ie/news/features/lisbontreaty/index.html

www.no2lisbon.wordpress.com

Dubliners encouraged to attend Lisbon Treaty Debates

pbpdse — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:53:10 +0000

Rory Hearne of the People Before Profit Alliance, is encouraging people from accross to city to find out more about the Lisbon Treaty by attending upcoming debates between the yes and no sides.

The first public Debate entitled: “Lisbon Treaty: Vote Yes or No? How will Lisbon impact on democracy, neutrality and public services?” takes place on
Tuesday, 20th May at 8 pm in the SAYS Youth services office, 4 Whitefriar, Aungier St , Dublin 2.

Speakers at the debate include Des Bonass (Unite union), Patricia McKenna (former Green Party MEP), a Speaker from the Irish Alliance for Europe and Rory Hearne (People Before Profit Alliance ) will chair the meeting.

Hearne said that the Lisbon Treaty will have very significant impacts on people’s lives in terms of the privatisation of public services, reducing democratic control and promoting the militarisation of Europe. It is really important therefore that people are informed of the issues, debate them out and get involved. This meeting in Aungier St is being organised to give people an opportunity to do this. Another debate is also set for Wednesday, 28th May in DIT, Rathmines Rd. Details to follow.

For information contact Rory Hearne at 0861523542

http://no2lisbon.wordpress.com/

www.peoplebeforeprofitdse.wordpress.com

Hospital protestors urge No to Lisbon

pbpdse — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:51:52 +0000

Campaigners for the retention of hospital services in the west are seeking to link their protest to the debate on the Lisbon Treaty referendum.

Last night in Roscommon, almost 600 people attended a protest meeting over the proposed downgrading of the county hospital there.

A motion calling for opposition to the treaty was passed by a clear majority.

Today a campaign is being launched to merge the support of other community hospital action committees in a united bid to oppose the treaty on 12 June.

The downgrading of Roscommon County Hospital has historically been a hot political issue. Health Service Executive proposals to recommend the closure of inpatient surgical beds and the transfer of services to Ballinasloe have been bitterly opposed.

Consultants in Roscommon have warned the move is a prelude to the downgrading and eventual closure of the hospital.

Last night’s meeting proposed a No vote to the treaty and the organisers are now seeking the support of 23 other hospital protest groups around the country in an anti-Lisbon stance - a further desperate bid, they say, to stop an unfair downgrading of local facilities.

A member of the Roscommon Hospital Action Committee told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland that the committee is a non-political organisation, but it has been forced to go political to get the Government’s attention.

For regular updates from People Before Profit Alliance No Campaign visit: www.no2lisbon.wordpress.com

People Before Profit Alliance Launch “No to Lisbon Treaty” Campaign this week

pbpdse — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:10:49 +0000

The People Before Profit Alliance will formally launch their No Campaign to the Lisbon Treaty at a press conference in Buswells Hotel (Molesworth st., Dublin 2) on Wednesday 14th May at 11 am.

Speakers will include :

Ailbhe Symth (Convenor of People Before Profit),

Richard Boyd Barrett (People Before Profit election candidate, Dun Laoghaire)

Des Bonass (UNITE Trade Union)

Eddie Conlon (Steering Group, People Before Profit)

For interview / confirmation contact: Sinead Kennedy 086-2612634

www.no2lisbon.wordpress.com

Alliance calls on government to show same honesty about Treaty as IBEC

pbpdse — Sun, 11 May 2008 18:11:13 +0000

The People Before Profit Alliance, speaking ahead of Fianna Fail’s launch of their Lisbon Campaign, call on the government to show the same degree of honesty as IBEC have on the Lisbon Treaty.

In a rare display of honesty IBEC exposed the neo-liberal underbelly of the Lisbon Treaty in their welcoming of the “new business opportunities” that will be opened up to Irish companies should Lisbon be ratified.

IBEC’s welcoming of the “increased opportunities for Irish business particularly in areas subject to increasing liberalisation such as health, education, transport, energy and the environment” confirm what No campaigners have long been arguing.

People Before Profit No to Lisbon Campaign Site:www.no2lisbon.wordpress.com

People Before Profit National Website:www.people-before-profit.org

People before Profit spokesperson Niall Smyth commented: “Instead of trying to either frighten, bully or bore people into voting yes the People Before Profit Alliance call on the government to show the same degree of honesty displayed by IBEC and lay out the true implications of a yes vote to Lisbon.”

Smyth continues: “People Before Profit are calling for a No on Lisbon because we believe that it will make Europe more undemocratic, increase the militarisation of the EU, undermine our neutrality and ultimately lead to further privatisation of public services including health and education.

“The Lisbon Treaty would creates a Europe committed to the free market competition and restrict the power of member states to act in defence of the public sector and their citizen’s welfare.”

Describing the much vaunted ‘Charter of Fundamental Rights’ as nothing but soft-sell window-dressing, Ailbhe Smyth, Co-Convenor of the Alliance, said it was “designed to shift the focus of attention from the market, business and profit-driven thrust of the Treaty as a whole. The vast majority of the rights included are already protected by other European and international human rights instruments. The Charter in fact rolls back workers’ rights by failing to include a clause requiring the recognitions of trades unions. Basing its judgements on the Charter, the European Court of Justice has recently ruled against workers’ rights and in favour of employers and business interests.”

The People Before Profit Alliance, will officially launch their No Campaign this week and will be campaigning vigorously across Ireland against the Treaty.

Public Debates: How will Lisbon impact on democracy, neutrality and public services?

pbpdse — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:51:57 +0000

Public Debate: Lisbon Treaty: Vote Yes or No?

How will Lisbon impact on democracy, neutrality and public services?

Come hear Patricia McKenna (Green Party), Alliance for Europe Speakers, Richard Boyd Barrett (People Before Profit) Deirdre De Burca (Green Party) & prominent trade unionists debate the Lisbon Treaty…

Lisbon Treaty: Vote Yes or No?

Public Debate: How will Lisbon impact on democracy, neutrality and public services?

Tuesday, 20th May at 8 pm
Venue: SAYS, 4 Aungier St , Dublin 2

Speakers: Des Bonass (Unite union), Patricia McKenna (former Green Party MEP), Speaker from the Irish Alliance for Europe, Chair: Rory Hearne (People Before Profit Alliance )

Wednesday, 28th May 8pm
Venue: DIT, Rathmines Rd (beside Library)

Speakers: Des Derwin ( Dublin Council Trade Unions personal capacity), Richard Boyd Barrett (People Before Profit), Speaker from the Irish Alliance for Europe, Deirdre De Burca (Green Party Senator), Chair: Rory Hearne (People Before Profit Alliance )

Organised by People Before Profit - Dublin South East

Contact 0861523542/0876988540

March calls for the Legalisation of Cannabis

pbpdse — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:58:45 +0000

Over 500 people marched through the streets today calling for the full legalisation of cannabis. The organisers encourage extensive research into the many beneficial uses of cannabis including industrial, social and medical uses for the good of the people.

Above images from today’s demo in Dublin

Furthermore they call for an end to all criminal prosecutions for the use of cannabis as a social or private relaxant. Prohibition does not work and has never worked. For more visit www.legalisecannabis.ie

To see more images from today’s protest…

St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Campaign disappointed with lack of support from Chris Andrews T.D and John Gormley T.D.

pbpdse — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:04:02 +0000

The Save St Luke’s Campaign held a photo shoot at St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Rathgar to raise awareness about a protest march being organised on June 7th and to call on local political representatives to support the campaign to save the hospital. Visit www.savestlukes.net

John Gormley’s silence

The Save St Luke’s Cancer Hospital Campaign expresses disappointment that it did not get a response from John Gormley TD who’s representative spoke at the last protest and John Gormley stated he supported the campaign before the last election. We are calling on him to make clear his position.

Chris Andrews (FF) supports the closure of St Lukes Cancer Hospital

The campaign is very disappointed that Fianna Fail TD Chris Andrews who has formerly expressed his support for St Luke’s Cancer Hospital made it clear that he now supports the closure of cancer services in St Luke’s. He stated to the campaign that: “My view, as I have published and articulated in the dail just last week is that I support the cancer control strategy.”

Government Cancer strategy would mean end of Lukes

The cancer control strategy involves the closure of cancer services in St Luke’s and their transfer to St James’s Hospital which the Save St Luke’s Campaign opposes because the impact on patient care. The hospital is currently a public cancer hospital but when it is transferred to St James’ it will be as Mary Harney recently informed us “achieved through a combination of direct Exchequer provision, PPP and where appropriate, the use of the private sector.”

Contacts:

Rory Hearne 086 1523542

Marie Harford 01 4979953

Ciaran Behan 087 1379634

Save St Luke’s Campaign

www.savestlukes.net

6 Rathmines Close, Upper Rathmines Rd, Dublin 6

email: savestlukes@gmail.com