Majority of Greens back Lisbon Treaty

Members of the Green Party this evening voted 63 per cent in favour of the EU Treaty of Lisbon. The result, which fell short of the two thirds majority required for the Party to adopt a position to campaign in favour of the Treaty in the upcoming referendum campaign, was arrived at after several hours of passionate debate in the Hilton Hotel in central Dublin. Over three hundred Party members attended today's special convention, 195 of whom voted in favour of the motion "That the Green Party supports the Lisbon Treaty." A large majority of members voted to abandon the third, technical motion, which sought to clarify the result for the Party's ministers and members, on grounds that it was unnecessary.

Party Leader and Environment Minister John Gormley TD said: "This is a historic day for the Green Party. I believe that our conception of, and approach to, Europe has been updated to reflect what our parliamentary party thinks, and what the majority of our councillors and members think. The large majority of Green Party members have endorsed the view of the Party's Leadership. It is always difficult for any organisation to win a two-thirds majority on contentious issues, but I interpret today's vote as a mandate for myself and my parliamentary colleagues to recommend a yes vote in the upcoming treaty debate.

"We appreciate and understand the sincerity of our members who argued and voted against the Lisbon Treaty today. We will not overlook their reservations. We will work actively with our Green colleagues in the European institutions to address their issues and fears."

European Affairs Spokesperson Senator Deirdre de Burca added: "The result of today's Special Convention explodes the myth that the Green Party is anti-European. 63% of party members voted to support the Lisbon Treaty. This is a resounding majority in favour, although it does not meet the party's constitutional requirement of two thirds. The result points to the fact that there is a real need to conduct a very vigorous national information campaign in order to familiarise the public with the Lisbon Treaty in advance of the referendum. Those of us in the Green Party who support the treaty will be taking an active role in encouraging the Irish people to vote Yes to the Lisbon Treaty.