Veteran Danish MEP to outline to the Forum why he opposes the Treaty of Lisbon

DATE:         THURSDAY 6^TH MARCH 2008

TIME:          11 A.M

VENUE:       ROYAL HOSPITAL KILMAINHAM, DUBLIN

The co-President of the Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament, Jens Peter Bonde MEP, is to address the National Forum On Europe on the Treaty of Lisbon (EU Reform Treaty) on Thursday 6th March 2008 in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, at 11 a.m. Following his opening address on the theme “What does the Lisbon Treaty mean for citizens and smaller countries?”  Mr Bonde will debate the issues with Members of the Forum, both for and against the Treaty.

One of the longest-serving Members of the European Parliament, Mr Bonde, who is from Denmark, was a Member of the Convention which prepared the European Constitution, the precursor of the Treaty of Lisbon, both of which have been strongly opposed by his IND/DEM Group.

The IND/DEM Group comprises twenty four members from nine countries, including  Kathy Sinnott MEP for the South Euro Constituency. The stated aims of the Group include rejection of the Treaty and opposition to all forms of centralisation. 

The Forum plenary session will be chaired by Maurice Hayes, the Chairman of the National Forum On Europe, who invites you or your representative to attend.  Members of the public are also welcome to attend. Copies of the Forum’s recently-launched Summary Guide to the Treaty will be available.

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Continuing its round of regional public meetings, the Forum will be taking the debate on the Treaty to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, County Clare next Monday 10^th March at 7 pm and to the Brandon Hotel in Tralee in County Kerry next Tuesday 11^th March in at 7.30 pm. The guest speakers in Ennis will be Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley and Patricia McKenna of the People’s Movement.   Addressing the Tralee meeting will be Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris and Alan Dukes of Fine Gael.

Public Meetings March 2008 (further dates to follow in April):