SF opposes EU constitution, ID cards

Sinn Féin has launched a campaign to urge voters to reject the European constitutional treaty, describing it as “the biggest step so far in the creation of a superstate”.

Party president Gerry Adams said yesterday Sinn Féin wanted to see a European Union “that promotes sustainable growth, environmental protection, social and economic equality, human rights and global justice”.

He believed, however, that the proposed constitution was not in the interests of Irish people.

Mr Adams said Sinn Féin would oppose the constitution in a referendum in the 26 Counties expected next year, and in the North during a British referendum expected in 2006.

The party’s Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said the constitution, if passed, would “transform the EU from a body of co-operating member-states into an embryonic federal state with its own legally-binding constitution.

“It deepens the democratic deficit, further concentrating power in the hands of the few at the expense of national parliaments and ordinary people.

“It undermines neutrality and seeks to transform the EU into a global superpower with its own foreign minister, army and armaments agency.

“It copper-fastens the right-wing economic agenda which has dominated EU policy for over a decade, and seeks to extend such policies to public services and international trade agreements, undermining welfare provision and global justice priorities.”

ID CARDS OPPOSED

Meanwhile, the party has warned that British plans to introduce identification cards could undermine the rights of Irish citizens.

The party’s human rights and equality spokesperson Caitriona Ruane said the British Government should not be allowed to compile information on northerners entitled to claim Irish citizenship under the Good Friday Agreement.

“Under the Good Friday Agreement people in the North have the right to Irish or British identity or both,” she said.

“Far from being an effective tool for anything, these cards would undermine not just civil liberties but also fundamentally the right of people living in the north to their Irish identity.

“Should Irish citizens in the North have to carry such a British ID card or there is there any basis for the British government have the right to hold biometric and other information on Irish citizens?”

Urgent Appeal