Voting yes is my recommendation for the Referendum on Thursday. I respect, of course, and will continue to respect the views of those citizens who may differ from me and I certainly do not accuse them of "dishonesty" as Mr Farrell accuses me.

The issue for decision is as to which vote will create the best opportunity for being part of a vital debate, one that has already started and that will continue after Thursday, as to whether a strong Social Europe can emerge, as opposed to a Europe of deregulation, which Libertas, for example, favours. I believe we should vote yes and be part of the movement for a European Union of social protection.

It is also important not to blame the European Union for the actions of our own right-wing politicians, elected by Irish people, who are pushing privatisation in such areas as health. That is a battle to be fought here and the source of such a project does not lie in the Lisbon Treaty.

In fairness to Joe Higgins he has disassociated himself from the Libertas project even if others have not.

I believe as I have written in our canvassing leaflet, "Labour's shared European views, which include the values that Labour holds in common with our social partners in Europe offer a better prospect of a new and more ethical global order."

So I will be voting yes and continuing with my other campaigns, began so long ago, against war, for Palestine, for Fair Trade, untied aid, and debt reduction when the Referendum is over.

Finally, there are areas where Ireland's relationship with Europe brought a different result that that which flowed from our relationship with United States foreign policy under George W. Bush. The use of Shannon and the debate on rendition is a good example. Active as I was in that campaign I am aware of the assistance that came from European institutions in exposing rendition and which contrasted with the United States insistence that an assurance was sufficient for an Irish Government.

Asked to choose between the Council of Europe or the European Parliament for an opinion I would have no hesitation in saying yes to either, rather than to Libertas/Rivada with its military and intelligence connections.

As to the future, I look forward to pursing all the campaigns I have mentioned within the Labour Party and I welcome others to join with us in the Labour Party in that work, irrespective of how they vote on Thursday.

Yours,
Michael D. Higgins,
Labour Party President.

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