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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24TH SEPTEMBER 2009 IRELAND’S ECONOMIC INTERESTS NOT SERVED BY LISBON SAYS GANLEY Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley has stated that the Lisbon Treaty, if ratified, will perpetuate the undemocratic decision-making regime in Brussels, whereby EU law-making power will be centralised in the European Commission. “This will not serve Ireland’s economic interests”, he stated. He said “The European Commission has refused to introduce a proper register of EU lobbyists. The fact is that thousands of lobbyists who influence the laws that emanate from the European Commission, laws affecting us here in Ireland, are doing so without having to identify themselves or declaring their vested interests. In fact, the public deserves to know that some of these same lobbyists are currently fund-raising for pro-Lisbon campaigns. This is indicative of the lack of transparency in Brussels and it shows that the Commission cannot be trusted to protect our economic interests and this must be remedied”. Declan Ganley continued “Pro-Lisbon groups and the European Commission are asking us to transfer many areas of decision making to Brussels but at the same time, Brussels is refusing to open up to scrutiny its decision making process” “We have recently seen the results in Ireland of what happens when vested interests influence economic policy without reference to the common good”

“How can our economic interests be served by transferring vast areas of decision making power to Brussels and in particular to un-elected officials in the European Commission when we do not even know who is writing the legislation that will affect us?” Declan Ganley concluded. Ends John Mc Guirk – 086 8582351 Declan Ganley available for interview this morning 093 4390