Czech Senate vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty

Fianna Fáil MEP, Eoin Ryan has today welcomed the decision of the Czech Senate to ratify the Lisbon Treaty by 54 votes to 20.

Statement by Eoin Ryan MEP

This is a very significant result in regard to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. EU countries are becoming more aware of the critical role that the EU plays in the lives of its citizens and I firmly believe that Europe holds the key to economic recovery.

Our European partners are working with us to address the key concerns expressed by the Irish people in the Lisbon Treaty of June 2008. The concerns raised in the June 2008 referendum are being addressed and we are currently seeking a number of guarantees to address these important issues.

I was delighted to see that the Treaty continues to be ratified across Europe and I think that we as Dubliners, Irish and Europeans have become far more conscious of the positive impact the EU has had and will continue to have on our economy.

The European Union project is more important to Dublin than ever before and will play a major role in our economic recovery. Programmes such as research and technology and re-training initiatives receive invaluable support from Europe in addition to key economic projects such as support for small and medium sized enterprises which employ 400,000 people in Dublin alone, the new East-West electricity interconnector and CAP fund transfers to name but a few.

"We can't just hope for the best, we have to fight for it"

Vote 1 Eoin Ryan MEP - Fighting for Dublin in Europe