Cóir
 | |
| Type | Civil society |
|---|---|
| Focus | Irish republicanism, Right-wing populism, Social conservatism, Euroscepticism |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland |
Spokesperson | Richard Greene |
Cóir (pronounced [koːɾʲ]; Irish for "justice") was a social Catholic, conservative Eurosceptic lobby group established to campaign against the Treaty of Lisbon which was approved by referendum in Ireland on 2 October 2009. The group claimed to have had approximately 2,600 campaign volunteers for the 6 months prior to the referendum.[1]
According to spokesman Brian Hickey, members of Cóir had considered registering it as a political party. In 2009, Hickey said he believed there was room for a "patriotic, conservative and socially conscious party" to fill the "gap there in the Irish political spectrum".[2]
Political and religious standpoint
[edit]It claimed to be an independent group with members coming from different political backgrounds. It was generally more conservative than other Lisbon No vote campaigns, and included a number of individuals involved in social conservative issues.
Coir's ideology could be described as a blend of traditional Catholicism and Irish republicanism. It was however centre-left economically. In addition, it supported restrictions on immigration during times of economic decline.[3]
Former member of the Fianna Fáil party and former Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Green Party Councillor, member of Muintir na hÉireann Richard Greene acted as spokesperson in the media.[4] Other figures who have represented Cóir include Niamh Uí Bhriain and Peter Murphy.[5]
No to Lisbon Treaty campaign
[edit]Cóir advertised in the national and local media, notably in newspapers such as Alive!, Irish Family Press and also submitted letters on the subject to these publications. [6] Its spokespersons also had several opinion pieces in newspapers such as Irish Times, and appeared on local and national radio and TV.[7]
It has campaigned against the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.[8] Greene, Uí Bhrian and Murphy, addressed the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs in a heated debate.[9][10] Greene accused the committee of treason for not upholding the vote on the treaty.[11]
Criticism
[edit]In 2008, the leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin alleged that the group was a "front organisation" of the anti-abortion group Youth Defence.[12] The organisation operates from the same building on Capel Street in Dublin as Youth Defence and the Pro-Life Alliance.[13] Some members of religious organisations also criticised the organisation's stance on the Lisbon Treaty.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ FITZGERALD, MARY (15 September 2009). "Team No – who's who, how they are funded and their strategy". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
- ^ MINIHAN, MARY (5 October 2009). "Anti-treaty Cóir may become political party, says spokesman". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ "Case for no vote". coircampaign.org. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- ^ Opposing sides of Lisbon debate will debrief Sarkozy by Mary Fitzgerald, Irish Times Monday, 21 July 2008.
- ^ Irish worries over abortion, tax fuel EU 'no' vote, Niamh Uí Bhriain Archived 7 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine quoted – EUBusiness, 9 June 2008.
- ^ Lisbon Treaty a big cause for concern by Niamh Uí Bhrian[permanent dead link] – Speakers' Corner, Alive! Catholic Monthly Newspaper, April 2008.
- ^ "Yes vote on Lisbon could open door for abortion". The Irish Times. 7 July 2009.
- ^ Second Lisbon vote confirms voters' fears by Richard Greene, Irish Times, Monday, 2 February 2009.
- ^ Ireland’s Future Engagement in the EU: Discussion with Cóir – JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union, www.oireachtas.ie, Thursday, 20 November 2008.
- ^ Anti-Lisbon group attacks Oireachtas Committee – RTÉ News, Thursday, 20 November 2008.
- ^ Module IIB:Ireland's future engagement in the EU Archived 7 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Video Oireachtas website
- ^ Youth Defence is telling lies, says minister by Fionnan Sheahan, Irish Independent
- ^ O'BRIEN, CARL (1 September 2009). "Cóir makes no secret of its links to anti-abortion group". IrishTimes.com. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
- ^ "Bishops' stance on Coir welcome". Irish Independent. 4 June 2008.
External links
[edit]- CÓIR official website (archived 2009)
- CÓIR – Lisbon Vote YouTube Channel