Chrysalis

So the Germans have political sensitivities forming that call for prudence, Greece as an economy (and some would say a State) is faltering closely followed by Spain and President Elect Hollande is calling for a growth pact. Somehow all this is now being used by the NO camp to call for a delay in the Irish referendum of the Fiscal Treaty.

The reality is the content of the Treaty will not change no matter when the Germans decide to ratify. If Hollande succeeds in attaching a growth pact and if any other changes are brought into play then they will apply to Ireland as well as all others whether we ratify on the 31st or not. The other reality is it may not even be legally possible to re-schedule, so the NO camp are intentionally muddying the waters in order to make their argument.
So is this a legitimate political strategy? You could argue yes, you could say that the NO camp is using genuinely felt opinions in order to make the point. However, misleading the public that Hollande, German Socialists or anyone else can change the substantive content of the Fiscal Treaty is bare faced propaganda.

The more practical response would be to join our European colleagues in designing a parallel growth pact that will feed from the Fiscal Treaty and will strive for future economic recovery as well as stability. In this circumstance we may see the EU really providing JOBS, GROWTH and FDI.

I know some will say I am wrong, and that is their right, but look at what I am saying. Germany has not said they will not ratify nor has Hollande. The final date for ratification is still some time away and there is nothing stopping us from working with others to generate a growth pact. So make your own mind up on whether it is going to be YES or NO on the 31st, but do so with facts not misinformation.

For me this Treaty is one of two options open to us, security through the ESM for possible future funding or we go it alone and hope it works out with the markets. I for one do not wish to risk the later, and while I am not fully convinced that our EU partners have our best intentions at heart I do believe that a YES vote on the 31st is the best course for us to take right now.