No side becoming increasingly desperate – de Burca
Views of Lisbon rejectionists contradicted by vast majority of Greens and environmentalists
The No campaigners who have claimed that the Lisbon Treaty would do nothing for environmental protection are becoming increasingly desperate in their attempts to discredit the Treaty, the Green Party’s European Affairs spokesperson Senator Deirdre de Burca said this morning.
Senator de Burca, who is directing the Greens’ referendum campaign, said: “The Lisbon Treaty will have a positive impact on environmental protection and it will empower the EU in the fight against climate change. Anybody that denies this is being dishonest.The EU has a long and impressive record of promoting high standards of environmental protection. It has given considerable leadership on climate change to date.
The Green Party Senator claimed that rather than using specific Treaty articles to support their claims, the No side “had only their opinions to back them up.”
“The Lisbon Treaty strengthens the legal base of the EU in relation to environmental matters through through Article 37 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Article 191 of the TFEU dealing with Climate Change, and Article 194 which gives the EU a new competence in the area of energy and prioritises energy efficiency and the the development of renewable energy sources,” she said.
“Environmental NGOs, climate change campaigners, eco businesses and Greens from across Europe support my Party’s view that the Treaty will better equip the EU to fight climate change, protect the environment and create clean and secure energy supplies.
“The No side are supported by a contradictory minority of fringe and extremist left and right wing groups.
“While they criticise the positive and truthful points made by the Green Party and authoritative voices like Duncan Stewart and John Gibbons, the Lisbon rejectionists put forward not a shred of evidence as to how a No vote would benefit the environment or aid the fight against climate change. No such evidence exists,” Senator De Burca concluded.
