McCreevy: ‘No’ vote could jeopardise EU funding
Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy has claimed that a second rejection of the Nice Treaty later this year will undermine Ireland’s position and influence in the EU.
Pointing to the amount of money the EU has given to Ireland, he said a second no vote would dilute Ireland’s chances of securing future funding.
Mr McCreevy said the European Union has given €31bn to Irish farmers and agriculture in the past 29 years and another €16bn through structural and cohesion funds.
He added that Ireland will remain a net beneficiary of the EU budget until 2006, despite having the second-highest GDP per capita in the union.
