Cork Workers Party Councillor Ted Tynan has called for a referendum to be held to determine the future of Anglo Irish Bank, its counterparts and NAMA.

Cllr. Tynan was speaking after the EU gave the Irish government the go-ahead to pour up to €10 Billion more of taxpayers’ money into Anglo Irish Bank. He said that the no government had the right to make such monumental decisions for the Irish people and that the government had no mandate to bankrupt the nation in order to save a few corrupt banks.

“If the government is so confident that its banking bailout will work then it should put that plan to the people of Ireland in a referendum. These decisions will impact on the lives of Irish people for generations to come and people have a right to have a say in them. Babies being born today will be paying back these monies through their taxes when they become adults and perhaps even as they reach old age. No government has the right to make such decisions and this massive drain on public finances must be put to the people in a referendum”, said Cllr. Tynan.

“The Lisbon Treaty was deemed to be so important to this country that it was put to the people twice in referendums.  Lisbon fades into insignificance in comparison with the momentous economic and social decisions now being made on Ireland’s future.  The people deserve and should demand a referendum and the Workers Party calls for a freeze on all further financial injections into NAMA and the banks until a referendum is held this Autumn to allow the people to decide the matter”, he said.

Issued 10th August 2010