Wallace urges people of Meath to register to vote yes to European Treaty
Meath East TD and Minister of Health Promotion and Food Safety Mary Wallace urges people in Meath to vote yes to the European Treaty on the 12th June.
You must be on the Register of Electors to vote at the referendum. If you are not on the Register, you may be eligible to apply for inclusion on the Supplement Register. To be eligible for inclusion you must be 18 years of age by polling day, a citizen of Ireland and ordinarily resident in the State. Also, if you have moved address recently or are registered elsewhere there is an opportunity to be included on the supplement register
The required application forms are available from Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath or can be downloaded from www.meath.ie
The offices of Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan Co Meath will receive applications for inclusion in the Supplement Register until Monday 26th May 2008.
In relation to the European Treaty Minister Wallace stated “In a nutshell, the treaty will improve the way the European Union works”.
She continued “It will adapt the EU institutions to a Union of 27 States and ensure that the voice of the European Union and its 27 Member States is heard more clearly on the world stage”
Why should we vote Yes – The bigger reasons
Minister Wallace stated “Ireland has benefited enormously from our engagement with the European Union. In the 1970’s unemployment and emigration were high. Our 35 year membership of the EU has opened up huge opportunities for our prosperity. We have received billions of euros in structural funds, which have built roads and railways all over the country”.
“Our farmers have also benefited significantly from various schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy which amounts to €41B to date and a further €10B to 2013 for Irish farmers
“Ireland with a population of 4 million can only have a minimal influence in trade negotiations but a united Europe with close on 500 million people can be a major player in global affairs”.
“For years we have benefited from a positive position within the EU. We have a very positive image in Europe. If we are the only nation out of a total of 27 to reject the Treaty our standing in Europe will not be viewed in the same light again and we will not benefit in the same way again”
Why we should vote yes – the day to day reasons effecting you and I
Minister Wallace continued “Being part of the European Union improves people’s lives in everyday terms too. For example:
* When we use our mobile phones, we are using a GSM technology developed through European co-operation and we are paying less thanks to EU competition rules.
* When we shop we enjoy high level’s of consumer protection for example clear information on labels, rights if something breaks down.
* At Work, One of the early benefits of Irish EU Membership was equal pay for men and women which came in the 1970’s. Europe was also a pioneer in combating discrimination in the workplace.
Minister Wallace concluded “A yes vote on the 12th June will make sure that the EU will continue to work as effectively for Ireland for many generations to come”.