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Latest update: 15/06/2008
- Ireland - referendum
EU leaders to push reforms despite Ireland's rejection
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso insisted the treaty was still "alive", after Irish voters rejected the Lisbon treaty by a 53.4% majority. The treaty aims to make the EU "more efficient, more democratic and transparent".
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The Irish rejected Europe's Lisbon Treaty Thursday. According to local media the official results were 53.4% for “No” compared with 46.6% for “Yes”.
The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, nevertheless called for other European countries to continue with their own ratification processes. However he stressed that the Commission “respects” the decision of the Irish voters.
In a joint declaration, France and Germany said they were disappointed with the “No” vote and hoped that the ratification process would move forward as planned. Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker believes that the Lisbon Treaty will not take effect on January 1, 2009 as planned.
Ireland is the only EU member to hold a public vote, as required by the country’s constitution. All other EU countries chose to ratify the treaty in the parliament, with 18 already having done so. All eyes were on Ireland, awaiting the result of this crucial vote. The treaty cannot function without the agreement of all 27 members of the EU.
Gerry Adams: David against Goliath
“It’s a great victory for Europe,” declared the president of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, to FRANCE 24. He was reacting to the results from Dublin Castle, an impressive 18th century complex that serves as the principal seat of the Irish government.
“It was David against Goliath,” added Adams, whose party was the only one to defend the “No” position. To him the important thing “is that the treaty cannot move forward in its current form and that the government must renegotiate it according to the desires of the people.”
According to Gauthier Rybinski, FRANCE 24’s International Affairs Editor, “There has been imbalanced economic development in Ireland, largely due to Europe. Some feel less fortunate than others and that’s responsible for this ‘no’ vote.”
France and the Netherlands rejected a similar treaty in 2005. For Rybinski, Ireland’s rejection could be due to the fear of an eventual “identity crisis”. “The Irish, staunch Catholics, fear Europe could impose its liberal views on their country. For example, the right to an abortion,” he adds.
Europe risks a constitutional impasse. Thierry Chopin, Director at the Robert Schuman Foundation, says the agenda of the French EU Presidency – which begins July 1 – could be pushed aside. “The treaty provided for the creation of European institutions,” he explains.
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Comments (6)
Everyone thinks Ireland is right but...
The truth is that the EU integration is a tremendously difficult project and can only be done slowly. But let's look around - we have many achievements we wouldn't have had without the Union. The Irish would have still immigrated to the USA in large numbers. Most of the people haven't read the treaty therefore I do not agree to have the faith of the whole content decided by THEM! As with other things in life - we need specialists to say [Would you give your sick child to a plumber but not a doctor?].
Misguided Article
This article is based on very stereotype images of Ireland. While the country is predominantly Catholic, it is not a strict practicing country. The economic imbalance in the Irish economic growth had nothing to do with the treaty and Irish view this as an internal problem and nothing to do with Europe. France 24's International Affairs editor should really verify his information.
i see
This seems to be exactly why the Irish voted no. I am very proud of the Irish for putting forth their voice when the rest of Europe cannot. They show that the democratic process means nothing to these bureaucrats.
A "more democratic" EU
Barroso wants to make the EU "more democratic"? So do I! Perhaps we should start by electing the people who run it instead of the faceless bureaucrats who wield all the power with toal disregard for the population.
Why the Irish voted NO
The reaction of Barrosa and other EU leaders is indicative of why the Irish voted no. Their answer to this, 'Press on, these little people know nothing'. The French and Dutch voted no and all EU leaders and bureaucrats know that if the other 26 countries voted on the treaty, a large proportion would vote exactly as Ireland did. And Ireland is a largely pro Europe country, whatever people will try to say about us now. When will EU leaders learn to listen and correct the seemingly democratic deficit at the heart of the institution? And stop trying to paint the whole continent the same political colour.
Identity Crisis - Utter Nonsense
Your report that this referendum reflects some form of Irish "identity crisis" is utter nonsense. Indeed the article is ill-informed and does a great disrespect to journalism standards. Where economic imbalances occur in Ireland Europe is not responsible. Ireland is a modern self-confident nation and the question of having "liberal" views imposed on it from Europe and undermining any Catholic ethos is complete rubbish. The issue of abortion as raised by the "No" campaign during the debate on the Treaty was widely dismissed as a mis-interpretation of the contents of the Treaty. The Catholic church even went so far as to dismiss these claims.
Ireland remains strongly pro-European. Many including myself believe in the collective force of good that Europe can mean to all of us (voted for Europe in each referendum). There are many possible reasons as to why this Treaty was rejected. This Treaty was in all liklihood rejected not out of any great suscipion of what is interpreted as the "European Project" but because of the uncertainty as to where Europe is "going". It reflects also perhaps deep concern over the obvious disconnect between the political elite and the ordinary European person. (I must admit as an Irishman how proud I was of the seriousness and consideration the Irish electorate gave to this referendum.)
Europe in my humble opinion must be about people, communities and equal member states. It is not simply about laws, procedures and institutions which in the minds of many Europeans is possibly what it has become. As someone who wants to believe in Europe I am concerned about how removed Brussels appears to be. We pay for the salaries of the persons who have spent countless hours drafting a Treaty and developed the necessary infrastructure to give life to many of the enabling policies and supports that develop the basis for a better Europe. We deserve every right to by popular vote decide on the matters of profound consequence to all of us. Dismissal of the entitlement of the people of Europe to consider and vote on matters of obvious relevance to them is arrogant in the extreme. If the governments of Europe feel it is not possible to offer public referenda on these issues then it is clear that our collective democratic and governance (and communication) systems are in serious trouble.
But we must as Europeans find it possible in the first instance to believe in something. There is a reference in the Irish proclamation of independence to commit to "cherishing all of the children of the nation equally". It is in the effective communication (and simple language please - enough of the overtly legalistic approach) of the common shared ideals such as this one that Europe can through its agencies address the considerable and genuine concerns of many Europeans. We agree on these ideals but cannot see the relevance of the institutions to these ideals. Imagine how every European could even remember and express these ideals, could be involved and how these common ideals could be a considerable mobilising force to everyone in realising the potential of the institutions. I am not a lawyer but if we cannot relate the ideals of Europe to the contents of these documents then the Europe we dream about will never come about. I frankly don't think that I want to be part of a Europe whose institutions while they may be more effective (under Lisbon) disrespect me because they do not involve me. We need as citizens to trust that the institutions reference and are guided by our shared and agreed ideals.
I suggest that every citizen across the Union be offered the opportunity to vote by plebicite in simple language on agreed European ideals and commitments to equality, freedom, inclusion and tolerance amongst others. This may help to restore some faith and meanging in the work of the institutions. Secondly, I would ask that (much as I voted yes) the Irish vote be respected and that the Lisbon Treaty not now be ratified before extensive consideration is given not to ratifying treaties but to listening and communicating with the people of Europe. Give us a Europe we can believe in and feel proud of. I want to be able to proudly call myself both an Irishman and European with one spirit and one voice.
A passionate yet dissconnected pro-European.