For reports on events that took place in 2008, see below.

Vigil at EU summit


People's Movement members at the Brussels vigil.

Speaking at a People's Movement vigil outside the offices of the EU Commission in Brussels held to coincide with the EU summit on December 11th the movement's secretary, Frank Keoghan, pointed out that there is clearly one rule in the EU for big member states and another for smaller ones. He called on the Irish people to defend democracy against the bullying of the EU élites and betrayal by their own government. Read the press statement here. [11 December 2008]


Frank Keoghan speaks to the media in Brussels.

Swedish embassy picket


The placard in Swedish reads: 'Say No to the Lisbon Treaty - respect Ireland's No!'

Members of the People's Movement placed a picket on the Swedish embassy in Dublin on 19 November, a day before the Swedish parliament was expected to vote on ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. A letter which called for Ireland's 'No' vote on the treaty to be respected was handed in.


People's Movement members hand in a letter.

Clog Award for Ballagh

The 'Clog Award' of the People's Movement, Denmark, has been given to an Irish recipient for the third time.

Irish flags were waved in the small town of Roslev during the annual general assembly of the Danish People's Movement when the award was presented to artist Robert Ballagh, a patron of the People's Movement in Ireland. It was previously won by Patricia McKenna in 2000 after the Supreme Court judgement in the McKenna case, and by the National Platform in 2001 after the Irish 'No' in the first referendum on the Nice Treaty.

In his acceptance speech, Robert Ballagh said: 'We have a great challenge in front of us. We must defend democracy - not only in Ireland, but in the whole of Europe', referring to the fact that the people have not been allowed to vote on the Lisbon Treaty in any other country in the EU.

Brussels protest

Wearing t-shirts that read 'NO MEANS NO', members of the People's Movement recently picketed the offices of the European Commission in Brussels in a demonstration of anger and concern at the continuing failure of the EU élite to accept the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish people in last June's referendum.

Post-referendum press conference


Robert Ballagh, Patricia McKenna and Joe Noonan.

The People's Movement held a post-referendum press conference on June 14 at which the speakers included Patricia McKenna (PM chairperson), Frank Keoghan (secretary), Joe Noonan and Robert Ballagh (both patrons).

It was stressed that the verdict of the Irish people must be respected and that the Lisbon Treaty is dead. A press statement was issued and can be read here.

Dublin

The People's Movement held its final press conference of the Lisbon Treaty referendum campaign on Tuesday, June 10. The press conference was chaired by independent TD Tony Gregory and the participants included Senator David Norris, Finian McGrath TD, Cllr Bronwen Maher, former TDs Joe Higgins and Dr Jerry Cowley, Cllr Declan Bree, Robert Ballagh and Patricia McKenna. A press statement was issued and can be read here.

Dublin


Patricia McKenna, José Manuel Barroso, and some of their friends at the EU office in Dublin, 6 June 2008.

European Referendum Campaign
Demonstration
Friday, 6 June 2008, 12:30 pm
European Parliament Office, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
A demonstration on behalf of the 486 million people in the European Union who have been denied the right to vote on the Lisbon Treaty. For further details, see the press statement here.

Dublin

European Referendum Campaign
Press Conference
Friday, 30 May, 11:30 a.m.
Buswell's Hotel, Molesworth St, Dublin 2
The ERC will announce a Europe-wide vigil at Irish embassies over the weekend.
For details, see here.

Dublin

People's Movement
Press Conference
Thursday, 29 May, 11:30 a.m.
Buswell's Hotel, Molesworth St, Dublin 2
The People's Movement will launch an initiative for a fair and democratic referendum process.
Speakers:
Patricia McKenna, former Green MEP
Alderman Declan Bree, deputy mayor of Sligo
Commandant Edward Horgan (retired), international election observer

Naas

People's Movement
Public meeting
'The Lisbon Treaty'
Lawlor's Hotel, Naas
Tuesday, 29 April, 8 p.m.
Patricia McKenna (People's Movement)
Mick O'Reilly (Trade Union Information Centre on the Lisbon Treaty)
Chairperson: Jonathan Mahon

Dublin

People's Movement
Pub Quiz
'The Red Parrot' (O'Mara's public house)
Dorset Street, Dublin 1
Thursday, 10 April, 8 p.m.
€10 per person - prizes to be won!

Mullingar

People's Movement
Public meeting
'The Lisbon Treaty: the renamed EU Constitution'
Greville Arms Hotel, Pearse Street, Mullingar
Thursday, 27 March, 8 p.m.
Patricia McKenna, chairperson, People's Movement
Frank Keoghan, secretary, People's Movement
Chair: Cllr Betty Doran (Green Party)

Dublin

People's Movement
Public Meeting
'The Lisbon Treaty - what is it about?'
Naomh Fionnbarra GAA Club, Faussagh Avenue, Cabra
Tuesday, 18 March, 8:00 p.m.
Patricia McKenna, chairperson People's Movement
Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin
Ciaran Perry, independent community activist

Tullamore

Public Meeting
'The Lisbon Treaty - the renamed constitution'
Tullamore Court Hotel, Port Laoise Road
Tuesday, 11 March, 8:00 p.m.
Patricia McKenna, chairperson People's Movement
Frank Keoghan, secretary People's Movement

Ennis

People's Movement
Public Meeting
West County Hotel, Ennis
Thursday, 6 March, 8.00 p.m.
Patricia McKenna, chairperson People's Movement
Frank Keoghan, secretary People's Movement
Chair: David Russell

Dublin

Public Debate
'Lisbon Treaty debate'
Trinity College, Walton Theatre, Arts Block
Tuesday, 26 February, 7:00 p.m.
Patricia McKenna, People's Movement
Martin Mansergh, Fianna Fáil

Galway

Public Debate
'From Lisbon to Galway - what's in it for Ireland?'
National University of Ireland Galway
Monday, 25th February, 8 p.m.
Patricia McKenna, People's Movement
Joe Higgins, Socialist Party
Enda Kenny, Fine Gael
Michael D. Higgins, Labour
Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fáil
Declan Ganley, Libertas

Dublin

Young Fine Gael
Debate on the Lisbon Treaty
Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2
Tuesday, 19th February, 7.30 p.m.
Finian McGrath TD, People's Movement
Patricia Mc Kenna, People's Movement
Lucinda Creighton TD, Fine Gael
Alan Dukes, former director, Institute of European Affairs
Chairman: Brian Dobson

Cork

Public Meeting
Victoria Hotel, Patrick Street, Cork
Saturday, 16th February, 2.30 p.m.
'The Case against the EU Constitution'
Councillor Mick Barry, Socialist Party
John Bowen, Workers' Party
Ger Cassidy, People before Profit
Cllr David Cullinane, Sinn Féin
Frank Keoghan, Peoples Movement
Patricia McKenna, Peoples Movement
Noel Murphy, Independent Workers Union

Dublin

CAEUC
Public Meeting
Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2
Thursday, 7th February, 8.00 p.m.
Campaign against the EU Constitution
Raquel Garrido (French Socialist Party)
Jimmy Kelly (ATGWU-Unite)
Patricia McKenna (People's Movement)
Roger Cole (Peace and Neutrality Alliance)

Sligo

People's Movement
Public Meeting
Glasshouse Hotel, Hyde Bridge, Sligo
Thursday, 31st January, 8.30 p.m.
The Developing EU Military-Industrial Complex
Patricia McKenna (former Green MEP)
The Renamed EU Constitution
Frank Keoghan (People's Movement)
Chair: Declan Bree


Some of the crowd which attended a People's Movement meeting in Sligo, 31 January 2008.

Galway

Galway Alliance against War
Public Meeting
Richardson's Bar (upstairs)
Tuesday, 15th January, 8.30 p.m.
The Developing EU Military-Industrial Complex
Patricia McKenna (former Green MEP)
The Renamed EU Constitution
Lave Broch (vice-president of Danish Peace Council, Chairman of EU-Critical Network of Social Liberals, formerly co-ordinator of UN Year against Racism in Denmark)


Patricia McKenna, Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Lave Broch in Galway, 15 January 2008.

Lecture series - Dublin


Lave Broch speaking, 16 January 2008.

The People's Movement is sponsoring a series of talks under the general title 'Aspects of the EU':

Wednesday, 14 November 2007
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'The EU Army'
Speaker: Roger Cole (Peace and Neutrality Alliance)

Tuesday, 20 November 2007
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'EU Directives and their effect on trade unionists'.
Speakers: Brian Denny (Coordinator Trade Unionists against the EU Constitution, Britain) and Bob Crowe, (General Secretary RMT, Britain)
Chairperson: Eamon Devoy (Gen. Sec. designate TEEU and member National Executive ICTU)

Wednesday, 28 November 2007
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'The EU and neo-colonialism'
Speaker: Andy Storey (Centre for Development Studies, UCD).
Chairperson: Joanna Flynn (Residents against Racism)

Wednesday, 9 January 2008
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'The developing EU military-industrial complex'
Speaker: Patricia McKenna (Green Party, former MEP)
Chairperson: Finian McGrath TD

Wednesday 16 January 2008
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'The renamed EU Constitution'
Speaker: Lave Broch (vice-president of Danish Peace Council, Chairman of EU-Critical Network of Social Liberals, formerly co-ordinator of UN Year against Racism in Denmark)
Chairperson: Jimmy Nolan (president Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union)


Ben Hayes speaking, 23 January 2008.

Wednesday 23 January 2008
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'The Erosion of civil liberties in the EU'
Speaker: Ben Hayes (Statewatch)
Chairperson: Roger Cole (Peace and Neutrality Alliance)

Wednesday 30 January 2008
At 7:30 pm in Room 207, Liberty Hall, Dublin:
'How the EU Attacks social democracy and undermines our European democracies'
Speaker: Barry Finnegan
Chairperson: Joe Murray (Afri)



For sovereignty, democracy and social justice.