Martin: ESM Fund 'fundamental' to treaty
With less than two days to go until Ireland goes to the polls in the Fiscal Treaty referendum, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said that securing access to funds is the 'fundamental issue' in the treaty.
All sides of the debate are working to get their points across.
Several campaign groups have organised their final media events for today with a broadcast moratorium on referendum content due to kick in tomorrow afternoon.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who is calling for a 'Yes' vote, is appealing for people to realise that casting their vote will not have any impact on Irish bank debt or its bondholders.
Mr Martin said: "This Treaty deals with budget rules that underpin confidence in the euro - and critically, its ratification does enable us to apply, via the European Stability Mechanism Fund, for vital funding that is in our own self-interest, that our people require in health services, in education and in various other State services.
"That is the fundamental issue in this Treaty."
Mr Martin pointed out that the treaty is not the answer to all of Ireland’s problems but "is important" for securing "affordable" funding for our public services and pensions.
He said: "In spite of the negative and cynical campaigns of the main parties against the Treaty the central fact has remained that a No vote is a vote for greater uncertainty and austerity.
"Over the last month we have taken our campaign to people in all parts of the country. We refused to join other parties in playing politics on such an important issue and I’m extremely happy with the positive response which we have received.
"Over the next two days we will keep working for a Yes vote. When the polls close we will continue pushing for Europe to adopt the further reforms which are vital to restore growth and job creation here and throughout Europe."
