Pat Rabbitte to outline his party's vision for Europe

by redjade Mon Dec 18, 2006 20:14

forgot the web address, sorry
http://www.forumoneurope.ie/eng/index.asp?docID=1133

by Hugh Murphy - Sacked by my union ex Belfast Docker Wed Dec 20, 2006 14:31

If Pat Rabbitte's vision for Europe incorporates his blind eye towards trade union corruption in Ireland, then it's a very limited vision indeed.

Maybe if his party get into power - WITH ANYBODY - they'll introduce a Bill in the European Parliament which states: only Heads of state and not Heads of Trade Union's can be prosecuted and vilified for crimes 'against the people'.

Obviously, because of his - and his party's non action this matter, this has already become fundamental plank in his party's platform, albeit a silent on so not to offend the right thinkin left among the faithful.

Actually, if Rabbitte publicly expounded this 'non action on corrupt trade union leaders and at least one MEP' and expanded it to include all wrongdoers in Europe, this could get him credence AND VOTES among the more unsavoury elements in the EU.

Instead of a vision for Europe he could call it the Labour Party's NELSON'S EYE VISION FOR EUROPE.

Hugh Murphy

Hugh Murphy

by Sinéad Ní Bhroin Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:56

Sinn Féin's Dublin Spokesperson on Europe Cllr. Daithí Doolan put it to the leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte, after his address to the National Forum on Europe today in Dublin Castle, that by supporting the Services Directive, by not rejecting the EU Constitution and in backing the Government's decision to limit Bulgarian and Romanian workers entry into Ireland, his party's vision for Europe is a bunle of contradictions.

Cllr. Doolan said, "Labour talks the talk of a social Europe but, by supporting the Services Directive and not as yet rejecting the EU Constitution, walks the walk of the European economic elite."

Cllr. Doolan continued, "the amended Services Directive, passed last month by the European Parliament, may have replaced the contentious ‘Country of Origin Principle' but the attack on basic workers rights has been retained in the text. In January there will be two test cases in the European Court of Justice brought by a Finnish shipping company and a Latvian building firm. If won we will see below minimum wage labour being brought into Ireland."

The Labour Party, along with its EU parliamentary colleagues The Party of European Socialists, agreed to propose an amendment to original Directive replacing the Country of Origin' principle with ‘Freedom to Provide Services'. Sinn Féin and its parliamentary partners, European United Left/Nordic Greens voted against the Services Directive last month as it believed that the Freedom to Provide Services amendment would not protect workers fundamental rights.

Cllr. Doolan continued, "the court cases next month are very significant both in terms of worker rights going forward and the future ideological direction of Europe as an entity."

Viking Line, a Finnish company is taking legal action against the International Transport Federation Union after its seafarer's struck when the company tried to register a liner in Estonia to take advantage of lower wage costs. Lavel, a building firm, claims Swedish Trade Unions broke EU law when it brought in its own nationals on a Latvian wage to build a school in the Swedish town of Vaxholm.

"Clearly if these cases are won the negative impact on worker's in Ireland will be enormous. The cases will allow a race to the bottom which will have a disastrous impact on employment standards in the Irish workplace.”

Cllr. Doolan went on to say, "my colleagues in the Labour Party need to acknowledge that they cannot court two opposing strategies when it comes to Europe. The objectives of the Services Directive were to create a single market in services throughout Europe and to erode workers rights. Part 3 of the EU Constitution is the same. If these objectives are fully realised the standard of living and provision of services throughout Europe for ordinary people will be significantly eroded and the wealth of the minority economic elite will prosper."

Cllr. Doolan concluded "Sinn Féin hopes that Labour will consider its position on the EU Constitution as the debate on its future reopens next month when Germany takes over the EU Presidency. Populist politics does not deliver social progress for the citizens of the EU. That's the reality."