“Fianna Fáil believes that the European Union must not stand still in the face of a changing world. At the most basic level, the organisation we joined 35 years ago has trebled in size and now has over 500 million citizens,” said Minister Killeen.
 
The Junior Agriculture Minister continued, “Beyond this there are many pressing forces confronting the E.U. and its member states, which were barely recognised when the current rules and procedures were put in place. One of the most important of these forces is globalisation. In order to be able to help its members compete and win in the current global economy, it is essential that the E.U. be efficient and effective in its work. In fact, the Government believes that a more efficient and effective E.U. is in the vital national interest of Ireland.” 
 
“On a practical level, we need an E.U. that will continue to open markets for our companies and provide them with the opportunity to compete fairly.  We also need an E.U., which steps up its work in vital areas such as research and energy security. There are key areas where Ireland needs to retain the right to have a final say on policy, but equally there are many areas where it is in our interest to make sure that the Union keeps moving forward. The Lisbon Reform Treaty delivers on this balance”, he added.

The Clare T.D. said, “Our engagement with the European Union has helped us to create over one million jobs have been created and these have been accompanied by rising living standards.”

“As we have seen because of the coverage they have received, there are individual businessmen who are against the Treaty.  They are fully entitled to their opinions and to express them; however people should be very clear that the great majority of Irish business is in favour of a Yes to the Lisbon reform Treaty,” Minister Killeen concluded.

-ENDS-
 
Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)