People's Movement (Ireland)

People's Movement (Irish: Gluaiseacht an Phobail) is an Irish pressure group which has campaigned on a number of issues such as protecting Irish neutrality and against greater European Union integration. In addition to campaigning against the 2008 referendum to ratify the Lisbon Treaty,^[2][3] the group has also previously campaigned against the war on Iraq and the use of Shannon Airport by the US military. The People's Movement is considered left-wing and opposes the institutions of the European Union, arguing that they undermine workers' rights and lead to a "race to the bottom" between the workers of underdeveloped members of the EU.^[4] As of 2021, the organisation was included in the register of third parties maintained by the Standards in Public Office Commission.^[5]

People's Movement
Irish: Gluaiseacht an Phobail

Type	Pressure group
Headquarters	25 Shanowen Crescent, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland
Chair/Cathaoirleach	Patricia McKenna[1]
Website	www.people.ie

Sponsors

Supporters of the People's Movement have included artist Robert Ballagh, former TD Declan Bree, former MEP Patricia McKenna, Chris O'Leary, Bronwen Maher, Thomas Pringle, Catherine Connolly TD, and Irish-language broadcaster Seosamh Ó Cuaig.^[6] Tony Gregory was also a supporter of the group.^[7] As of 2008, McKenna was the organisation's chairperson.^[8]

Lisbon Treaty

The group campaigned against the constitutional amendment to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon, stating that the treaty would increase Ireland's involvement in military commitments of the EU,^[9] compromise workers' rights and negatively impact Irish neutrality and sovereignty.^[3] The People's Movement reportedly argued that the Lisbon Treaty was a step towards a "more 'Corporate Europe'".^[10] During the campaign, the People's Movement queried whether the documentation issued by the Referendum Commission was impartial, stating that some leaflets were "designed to influence a Yes vote and were an abuse of taxpayers' money".^[11][12]

The People's Movement made submissions to the National Forum on Europe,^[13] which was set up in the aftermath of the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in the first Lisbon referendum.^{[citation needed]}

After the 'no' vote in the first Lisbon referendum in 2008, the People's Movement criticised the decision to re-run the referendum in 2009.^[14] In advance of the second Lisbon referendum, the group called for legislation to "prevent multinational corporations from trying to sway voters' opinions in future referenda" stating that it was inappropriate for such companies to spend millions on campaigning without "having to explain where the money comes from".^[15]

See also

• Euroscepticism in the Republic of Ireland