Ireland sees support for fiscal treaty wane / Dublin loses momentum on Yes vote

With six weeks to go before Ireland votes on the European fiscal treaty there were signs in April 2012 the Irish government’s campaign for a Yes vote was in danger of unravelling as public attitudes towards austerity harden and instability in Europe fed into its referendum debate.

On the 25 April 2012 the Irish trade union movement said it could not support the treaty, which would tighten budget rules and introduce penalties for states that break the rules.

Opponents of the treaty also threatened to take legal action against the government’s €2.2m information campaign, which they allege breaches a constitutional requirement in Ireland that all material paid for by public money should be impartial.

Irish Times, 29.4.12: Treaty a 'safety net' for Ireland http://www.irishtimes.com/news/treaty-a-safety-net-for-future-funding-1.524402

Wikipedia: Irish European Fiscal Compact referendum, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_European_Fiscal_Compact_referendum,_2012

EUObserver, 27.4.12: Fear and anger ahead of Ireland's fiscal treaty referendum http://euobserver.com/1015/116066

ESO: Background information: Ireland referendum on EU pact to be held on 31 May http://www.europeansources.info/record/ireland-referendum-on-eu-pact-to-be-held-on-31-may/

ICTU: Press Release, 25.4.12: congress not to issue recommendation... http://www.ictu.ie/press/2012/04/25/congress-not-to-issue-recommendation-on-fiscal-compact-referendum/

Irish Times, 25.4.12: Ictu declines to adopt formal position on EU referendum http://www.irishtimes.com/

ESO: Background information: Germany fears French threat to EU fiscal pact http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-fears-french-threat-to-eu-fiscal-pact/

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