"It is only by borrowing that we can hold on to the Croke Park Agreement"

By Fiach Kelly
Monday May 28 2012
47 Comments
A PUBLIC sector union was last night branded "irresponsible" for calling for a No vote in the fiscal treaty referendum.

The Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU), which represents lower paid public sector workers as well as Mandate and Unite, yesterday called for a No vote.

But a Labour TD said a No would jeopardise public sector wages, since it would put future state funding at risk.

Dublin-North Central TD Aodhan O Riordain said it was "irresponsible of public sector unions to advocate a No vote when their members risk being locked out of the European Stability Mechanism".

"It is only by borrowing that we can hold on to the Croke Park Agreement at present," he added.

Mr O Riordain said it was a personal statement and his criticisms did not reflect the position of the Labour Party as a whole.

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has steered away from criticising unions for making recommendations on the treaty, and instead appealed directly to workers.

His spokeswoman last night said his position had not changed, and said recommendations were "a matter for the executives of the union".

- Fiach Kelly

Irish Independent