I am a big believer in active citizenship and in citizens having a voice and being listened to.

“I am a big believer in active citizenship and in citizens having a voice and being listened to. Through the Citizens Initiative in the Lisbon Treaty our voices will be heard.”


Mary Davis

I am a great supporter of the Lisbon Treaty. Europe has been good for Ireland and it continues to make a difference every day in the lives of ordinary citizens.
For me a key element of the Treaty is the Charter of Fundamental Rights. As someone who works with people with an intellectual disability, with those on the margins, it pleases me that the Charter would enshrine in law civil, political, economic and social rights for all EU citizens to enjoy.
The purpose of the Lisbon Treaty is to improve how the EU works. As a European citizen - especially as a mother -  saying Yes to Lisbon will help the EU to address issues that are close to my heart.  For example, a ‘Yes’ would bring greater cooperation between police forces to better enable them to tackle the criminals  and the illegal drugs traders who are devastating our communities.  Police cooperation would also help to stop the sickening trafficking of human beings.  In the last ten years, 500,000 women and young children have been trafficked throughout Europe. Vulnerable women and children, victims of this crime need our help. With a “Yes” to Lisbon we will be giving it to them.
I am also pleased that our EU neighbours listened to the concerns of Irish voters.  We now have cast-iron guarantees that Voting Yes means Irish neutrality is legally protected and that there is no chance that Irish young people will be conscripted into an EU army. We also will be able to keep a permanent Commissioner at the table. If we vote ‘No’ we will lose that.
I am a big believer in active citizenship and in citizens having a voice and being listened to. Through the Citizens Initiative in the Lisbon Treaty our voices will be heard. One million citizens from a number of Member States will have the possibility to call on the European Commission to bring forward new policy proposals.
The Treaty encourages a spirit of solidarity amongst people. This means people supporting each other in times of crisis, for example in the case of a natural disaster.
I am very involved in sports and through my work with the Special Olympics I see every day the importance of sports in the lives of people with an intellectual disability.  A Yes to the Treaty would mean that sport would have a legal base for the first time and there would be more funding available for it. This commitment boosts the development of sport in Europe and recognises the important role that it plays in our society.
The EU makes a positive contribution to all our lives, directly to our local communities. Did you know that EUR 22 million has been invested in improving childcare facilities and access in Mayo?
Tourism in Mayo has also received a boost with numerous schemes and projects taking advantage of available EU funding. The European Social Fund has benefited Mayo by investing in youth programmes, adult education, employment initiatives and many more schemes.
The Lisbon Treaty will make the EU work better – it will improve cooperation across the Union and bring citizens closer together on issues which we all care about, especially the welfare of our children and some of the most vulnerable members of our societies. So in this cooperative spirit I urge you to turn out on October 2 and vote Yes to Lisbon.

Mary Davis is a native of Kiltimagh, is Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe and Eurasia and is Chairperson of the Office of Active Citizenship.