Sarkozy visit aimed at subverting Irish democracy

Statement by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton

Republican Sinn Fein Vice President Des Dalton outlines RSF's opposition to the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Dublin on July 21 is part of the campaign of the EU political elite to steamroll the Irish people into voting again on the rejected Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution. The Franco/German governments as well as the heads of the various EU Institutions such as the President of the EU Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering and the President of the EU Commission José Manuel Barroso since June 12 have shown only contempt for the democratic decision of the Irish people.

The big lie being put forward by the EU political establishment is that the EU can go ahead with the Lisbon Treaty despite or in defiance of its rejection in Ireland. In fact the 26-County administration could halt the ratification process by simply stating that the vote of the Irish people must be respected and cannot be overturned by a second referendum. Instead of defending the Irish people’s democratic decision the Dublin administration have lined up with the EU political establishment to try and create a 26/1 situation by the end of the year.

On June 12 the Irish people made it clear that they rejected the further tightening of the EU’s grip. They are not prepared to give over more power to an institution which they do not elect and which is not accountable to them. Three times in three years the people of three states have now said no to a militarised and unaccountable EU superstate.

This is the clear and unequivocal message which should be delivered to Nicolas Sarkozy on his visit to Dublin. In the past the Irish people welcomed the support of France in their struggle against British rule. Today we reject the efforts of Nicolas Sarkozy to subvert Irish democracy.