How will it promote the further privatisation of public services?
A. The Lisbon Treaty removes the veto in international trade agreements in relation to health and education services (Art 188C). This will further open up these services to the market and competition. Healthcare and education will not be planned in the in the interests of profit, not the interests of people. Debacles such as the privatisation of Eircom and water charges for schools are only a taster of what is to come if the Lisbon Treaty is passed. The healthcare system in the 26 counties is already operating as an apartheid system with those who can afford to pay gaining swift access to medical care, while those reliant on the public system are left waiting for years in many cases. IBEC identified the potential boon to private business this provides, in a submission to the Forum on Europe it stated: Through our membership of the EU many markets have been subject to liberalisation and through this process new business opportunities have been created for Irish companies. A Yes vote for
