Collins and Clune stress the importance of a yes vote on 31st May

Áine Collins

Speaking on the eve of a breakfast meeting calling on women to vote Yes in the upcoming Stability Treaty Referendum, Fine Gael female public representatives, Senator Deirdre Clune from Cork South Central and Deputy Áine Collins from Cork North West, said it is in every citizen’s interest that a Yes vote is secured on 31st May.

The meeting, will take place tomorrow (Friday) morning at the Imperial Hotel at 8am where An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, the Vice President of Cork Chamber of Commerce, Gillian Keating, and businesswoman Yvonne Barry will address an audience of local female business women, local community groups, female students and women interested in finding out more about the impact the Treaty will have on Ireland’s future.

Speaking ahead of the event, Senator Clune said: ‘The importance of a Yes vote next Thursday cannot be over emphasised. We have come a considerable distance over the last year in terms of how the rest of the world sees Ireland. Foreign Direct Investment has been flowing into the county, with companies such as Paypal, Microsoft, Abbott Pharmaceutical and Eli Lily in Cork choosing to position or expand their operations here. A Yes vote will send a clear signal that Ireland continues to be a safe bet in terms of investment, giving investors the confidence they need to create additional jobs here’.

“A Yes vote will also crucially give us access to an insurance policy where future funding is concerned through the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) which can only be accessed in the event of a Yes vote. While the Government is fully intent on going back to the markets next year, we do not have a crystal ball and cannot see into the future; we need the security of knowing that we can access money from the ESM at affordable rates in the event that we need it.

“Deputy Collins said: ‘As a business woman and a mother, I see a Yes vote as the only option. We need to ensure that the recovery we have seen over the past year continues into the future and that job creating investors continue to see Ireland as an attractive location to conduct business. This will enable the jobs we so badly need to be created, giving our children the opportunity to live and work in Ireland.’

“This Treaty will also ensure that all Member States adhere to good housekeeping and sensible budgetary rules, which are key to keeping the country on the right track. Nobody is suggesting that the Stability Treaty is the answer to all of our problems but it is an essential component in ensuring stability, recovery and future investment. Put simply, a Yes vote on 31st May is a Yes to a working Ireland and to a better future for our children; and who wouldn’t want that?

“This is the most comprehensive information campaign ever for a referendum with a copy of the full Treaty being sent to every home in the country. We are determined that people are given all the information they need to make a fully informed decision.

“Ensuring that people come out to vote on 31st May is crucial. Women now, more than ever, play an integral role in businesses of all sizes. From large to small businesses and from agri-food to manufacturing, women are key players when it comes to industry. We recognise the importance of creating a stable environment in which to do business and I hope that this is reflected in the turnout and a strong support for a Yes vote next Thursday.”