The Workers’ Party has described comments from Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa in relation to the Lisbon Treaty as suggesting that because the majority of EU member states are government by centre-right governments that Irish workers must accept a dilution of current protections.

Workers Party President Michael Finnegan said Mr. De Rossa was speaking like an employer talking down to workers rather than a Labour MEP and that Labour deputies were getting flak from some of their own members over the position that party has taken.

“The comments of Mr. De Rossa and others in the Labour Party only illustrate their anxiety at the feedback coming from workers, which is no doubt the very same feedback we have been getting at the doors on our canvass.  Workers, including members of Mr. De Rossa’s own party, are concerned at the extent to which Lisbon claws back the principles of a social Europe.   This concern is borne out indeed by a member of Labour’s sister party in France, the Parti Socialiste, who yesterday told a press conference in Dublin that rejection of the Lisbon Treaty would be greeted with great relief throughout Europe”, said Mr. Finnegan.

Issued 5th June 2008