Ireland opens debate on Lisbon Treaty revote

A second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would “ultimately” be required in Ireland to prevent its isolation now that all other 26 member states appear likely to ratify it, the country’s Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche said at the weekend.

The views expressed by the Irish Minister appear to be significant, particularly as politicians in Ireland and in the EU have been careful not to be seen to be imposing a revote as a solution to the crisis that emerged after Irish voters rejected the new EU treaty in the 12 June referendum. Indeed, politicians fear such a move could be interpreted as a sign that Dublin and Brussels do not care about their citizens’ opinions. 

Yet European Affairs Minister Dick Roche told the Irish Independent newspaper “my personal view is that a referendum is the appropriate response to the position we are in.” 

Talk about a new referendum is nevertheless probably premature, with a July poll commissioned by the eurosceptic ‘no’ camp revealing that almost three quarters of Irish voters are opposed to a second referendum on the EU’s new reform treaty (EURACTIV 28/07/08). In 2001, Irish voters rejected the Nice Treaty before voting in its favour 16 months later. 

Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said last month that Ireland would give the EU clarity on the way forward in time for the December summit of EU heads of state and government. 

Speaking at the European Parliament on 10 July, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced his intention to “engage in dialogue” with the Irish government “to try to find solutions”. 

“The French Presidency will propose a method,” he said, adding that he hopes for “a solution, in agreement with the Irish government, in October or in December” when the EU will hold summit meetings. 

For UK Liberal MEP Andrew Duff, the statement by the Irish EU Affairs Minister does not come as a surprise as the EU’s October summit approaches. Speaking to EURACTIV, he said the call for a re-run could be interpreted as a confession by the Irish government that “acceptance of the Irish refusal has now become admittedly thin” among EU leaders. 

However, Duff is not very confident that a second referendum would bring any change, declaring: “It is an awful long way to go to be optimistic” that the Irish will change their mind. 

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