Irish Europe Minister calls for second referendum
26 August 2008
In an interview with yesterday’s Irish Independent, Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche said a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is “the appropriate response” for
He added: "We now need to take a hard look at our situation within the EU. We have to recognise, however, that all other member states -- 26 sovereign, democratic parliaments -- are likely to have ratified the treaty by the end of the year. This will leave
According to the paper Mr. Roche sought to downplay any controversy about his remarks by saying the Government would make no decision on the matter until after its detailed analysis of the referendum defeat had been completed and considered. A government spokesman said: "Mr Roche is not calling for a second referendum to be put. That would not be a fair reflection. The Government is instead following the steps it said it would take in the wake of the referendum outcome."
A leader in the Irish Times argues that Roche “has done the State and its voters a considerable public service by arguing that it may be necessary to hold another referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.” In a separate article, former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox argues for a second referendum, noting “Precedent suggests that where there is a clear consensus to proceed by all but one member state that the weight of numbers will prevail with the burden of adjustment resting on those who cannot or will not ratify.”
An article in Le Figaro titled “Europe: Dublin suggests a second referendum on the Constitution” mentions Open Europe’s recent poll which showed that 71% of Irish voters are against a second referendum, and that if one were held, 62% would vote no, and only 34% would vote yes. The poll was also mentioned in L'Express.
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