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| MAGINNESS:
EUROPE CAN HELP US FULFIL OUR ECONOMIC DESTINY SDLP North Belfast Assembly Member Alban Maginness said today that the Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum makes economic sense for Ireland. Speaking during an Assembly debate on Lisbon, Mr Maginness warned that an incoming Tory government could strive to topple policies which benefit the North if allowed to meddle with the Treaty. He said: “The ‘Yes’ vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum was good news for Ireland and good news for Europe. “However, it is sad that the North sends anti-Europe message to Brussels in the form of Sinn Féin and the DUP. “The EU needs to move to more coherent and competent decision-making. We need to get over the impact of the recession more quickly and maximise the opportunities for recovery. “A ‘No’ vote in Ireland would have had Tories in Britain basking in the opportunity not just to stall things in Europe but to stall them here, including budget changes which would cost Ireland, North and South, dearly and directly. “An Irish red light to Lisbon would have turned into a green light for a British Tory wrecking ball in Europe. “We would have lost all power, influence and money in that scenario. The North would lose much of the favour it has enjoyed, when our European partners are frustrated by an egregious British government and blamed Irish votes for handing them such destructive vantage. “The policy and budget pillars which the Tories would topple are those which have supported the most disadvantaged parts of this island to build economic performance and community capacity. This does not just include 'big ticket' infrastructure investment but also funding for social initiatives and locally-grown measures which help small communities and small businesses. “More than 1.65 billion Euro for the Peace and Reconciliation funds did not only help the North but the entire border region. Having borne the brunt of disconnection for decades and suffered disruption from the Troubles, it was also helped by INTERREG, LEADER and other cross-border measures and projects. “The European experience has not just helped to fund Peace, it has actually helped us to find Peace. Our peace is in Europe and our place is in Europe. “That Europe can only better help us to fulfil our destiny in terms of economic recovery, environmental well-being and social justice.”
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