Former parliament president launches pro-treaty campaign

Ex-parliament president Pat Cox said another 'No' vote on the Lisbon treaty would only add to the uncertainty caused by the downturn.

Speaking in Dublin at the launch of a pro-treaty campaign, the Irishman said, "It is crucial we send the right signal to the rest of Europe."

The launch of the campaign comes as Ireland is set to announce that it will hold a second referendum on the stalled treaty on 2 October.

The referendum will be held against the back-drop of legal guarantees on a number of issues secured by Ireland at last week's EU summit.

Cox told this website he was "quietly confident" the Irish would vote yes the next time round.

He said he had temporarily stepped aside from his role as president of the International European Movement.

"I have not been a member of an Irish political party since 1994 so it gives me a certain arms-length capacity to claim I have some rights as a citizen also," he said.

He said that several well-known figures had backed the campaign, called "Ireland for Europe" group.

These include Spurs soccer star Robbie Keane, U2 guitarist The Edge and film director Jim Sheridan.

Cox said they would play an active role in the campaign which will lobby for a Yes vote.

"There is a strong determination not to be a name on a sheet of paper. I think this is going to be an activity-based and action-driven campaign," he said.

However, Patricia McKenna, a former Greens MEP, said she will oppose the treaty saying the Irish legal guarantees on issues like military neutrality were "political agreements."

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