Brussels, 02/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - While Ireland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny, like 24 of his European counterparts, signed the “Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union” on Friday 2 March, the announcement on 28 February that a referendum would be held to ratify the “fiscal compact” causes European diplomats concern, given that the Irish have already twice rejected European treaties (Nice Treaty in 2001 and Lisbon Treaty in 2008). Although a no-vote could endanger the place that Ireland holds within the Union and, consequently, threaten European monetary union, Taoiseach Enda Kenny strongly supports adoption of this new pact and states he is confident about the outcome of a referendum.
“I am very confident that, when the importance and merits of this treaty are communicated to the Irish people, they will endorse it emphatically by voting 'Yes' to continued economic stability and recovery”, he said. He said that reducing the public deficit is one of the major challenges today but, once that challenge has been overcome, it will be possible to invest in employment and growth. The outcome of the referendum is all the more crucial as rejection of the fiscal compact would bring about a clear stop to access to European bailout funds, including the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which is to be effective from July 2012. Enda Kenny plans to carry out a public information and awareness campaign to promote the treaty on stability against the Irish Socialist Party, which is opposed to its adoption. The official date for the referendum has not yet been disclosed but the Irish head of government has reassured his European partners, saying on several occasions that Ireland's place is within the EU and within the eurozone. (SD/transl.jl)