French President Nicoloas Sarkozy was in Dublin today on his first visit within the European Union in his role as President in the office of the European Council. France assumed the rotating six-month presidency of the Union on July 1.
The purpose of Mr Sarkozy's brief visit was to meet with supporters and opponents of the Lisbon Treaty in an attempt to understand the reasons for the Irish 'no' in the recent referendum on the treaty. Mr Sarkozy held a working lunch with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen, which was followed by private discussions with Enda Kenny (leader of Fine Gael) and Eamonn Gilmore (leader of the Labour Party). He then attended a meeting at the French embassy with leading figures from the Yes and No camps.
Mr Sarkozy was told by both Mr Gilmore and Mr Kenny that holding a second referendum before the European Parliament elections in June next year would be counter-productive. Mr Sarkozy explained that there exist certain time-pressures and a time-limit, arguing that changes within the Lisbon treaty are required for the 2009 European elections, though he denied claims that he had ever said Ireland would have to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. If the Lisbon Treaty is not ratified before the elections then the electoral distribution of seats will remain as it was under the Nice Treaty.
President Sarkozy and Taoiseach Cowen issued the a joint-statement following their meeting this afternoon:
'On the occasion of President Sarkozy’s first visit to Ireland, the President and the Taoiseach exchanged views on a range of issues. The President emphasised that he had wished his first visit within the Union, in his role as President in office of the European Council, to be to Ireland, and the Taoiseach expressed his welcome for such a visit.
The two leaders discussed the Lisbon Treaty and the recent Irish referendum. The Taoiseach explained the Irish Government’s aim to develop a fuller understanding of the concerns that affected the outcome of the referendum as a necessary step before deciding how best to respond. The Taoiseach also explained that intensive consultations would take place, both domestically and with EU partners, in advance of the October meeting of the European Council. The President confirmed that he respected the outcome of the Irish referendum, but welcomed the fact the ratification process is continuing in other Member States and expressed his commitment to the Lisbon Treaty. The two leaders undertook to work closely together in seeking a way forward for the Union.
The two leaders reaffirmed the need for the Union to continue delivering practical benefits to European citizens in critical policy areas, many of which are priorities of the French Presidency. They discussed the current situation regarding food and oil prices, the importance of the Common Agriculture Policy, the current state of play in the WTO and the need for the Union to take a lead role in addressing climate change and energy security.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Sudan and Chad and the important contribution being made by the EUFOR Chad/CAR Mission, under the operational command of Lieutenant General Pat Nash, to which France and Ireland are the two largest contributors. Franco-Irish cooperation has been pivotal to the conduct of this Mission which fully reflects the EU’s growing role and expertise in conducting humanitarian operations.
The Taoiseach and President Sarkozy also discussed a number of other international issues including the growing international concern over Iran and its nuclear programme, on which they reiterated their full support for the EU-led efforts to achieve a diplomatic resolution.'
It is doubtful that Mr Sarkozy will have learned much after his visit today that was not already evident as a consequence of the opinion polls conducted following the referendum. Those on the 'no' side will continue to demand that the Lisbon Treaty is dead. However, with the likelihood that all other 26 countries will ratify the treaty, there will certainly be pressure placed upon Ireland to come to some conclusion about the direction that Lisbon must take. It is unlikely that a simple no will do. Ireland could seek to implement most of the treaty through parliamentary ratification but this might seem politically unwise given the backlash it could entail in a general election. A second referendum will need to include something new for voters, such as protocols on certain issues. There were serious concerns raised during the debate before the referendum concerning tax harmonisation, neutrality, abortion and the loss of EU Commissioners. Any future referendum, if one is to be held, will have to address enough issues to swing the vote back in favour of the treaty. Europe is indeed at a crossroads and at this time it would not be wise to isolate Ireland. As Eamonn Gilmore said today: '“This is not just an Irish problem, this is a European problem and that the start to resolving it has to be a start based on a European solution....Obviously we in Ireland have to contribute to that solution but it is not as simple as the 26 other member-states ratifying and then turning around to Ireland and asking us to think about it again'.
________________________
The Lisbon Treaty was supported by all major political parties, with 160 of 166 TDs (members of parliament) supporting its ratification. The main opponents to the Treaty were the political party Sinn Fein and lobby groups Libertas, Coir and the People Before Profit Alliance.
The referendum to approve the treaty held on 12 June failed with 53.4% voting against.
The purpose of Mr Sarkozy's brief visit was to meet with supporters and opponents of the Lisbon Treaty in an attempt to understand the reasons for the Irish 'no' in the recent referendum on the treaty. Mr Sarkozy held a working lunch with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen, which was followed by private discussions with Enda Kenny (leader of Fine Gael) and Eamonn Gilmore (leader of the Labour Party). He then attended a meeting at the French embassy with leading figures from the Yes and No camps.
Mr Sarkozy was told by both Mr Gilmore and Mr Kenny that holding a second referendum before the European Parliament elections in June next year would be counter-productive. Mr Sarkozy explained that there exist certain time-pressures and a time-limit, arguing that changes within the Lisbon treaty are required for the 2009 European elections, though he denied claims that he had ever said Ireland would have to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. If the Lisbon Treaty is not ratified before the elections then the electoral distribution of seats will remain as it was under the Nice Treaty.
President Sarkozy and Taoiseach Cowen issued the a joint-statement following their meeting this afternoon:
'On the occasion of President Sarkozy’s first visit to Ireland, the President and the Taoiseach exchanged views on a range of issues. The President emphasised that he had wished his first visit within the Union, in his role as President in office of the European Council, to be to Ireland, and the Taoiseach expressed his welcome for such a visit.
The two leaders discussed the Lisbon Treaty and the recent Irish referendum. The Taoiseach explained the Irish Government’s aim to develop a fuller understanding of the concerns that affected the outcome of the referendum as a necessary step before deciding how best to respond. The Taoiseach also explained that intensive consultations would take place, both domestically and with EU partners, in advance of the October meeting of the European Council. The President confirmed that he respected the outcome of the Irish referendum, but welcomed the fact the ratification process is continuing in other Member States and expressed his commitment to the Lisbon Treaty. The two leaders undertook to work closely together in seeking a way forward for the Union.
The two leaders reaffirmed the need for the Union to continue delivering practical benefits to European citizens in critical policy areas, many of which are priorities of the French Presidency. They discussed the current situation regarding food and oil prices, the importance of the Common Agriculture Policy, the current state of play in the WTO and the need for the Union to take a lead role in addressing climate change and energy security.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Sudan and Chad and the important contribution being made by the EUFOR Chad/CAR Mission, under the operational command of Lieutenant General Pat Nash, to which France and Ireland are the two largest contributors. Franco-Irish cooperation has been pivotal to the conduct of this Mission which fully reflects the EU’s growing role and expertise in conducting humanitarian operations.
The Taoiseach and President Sarkozy also discussed a number of other international issues including the growing international concern over Iran and its nuclear programme, on which they reiterated their full support for the EU-led efforts to achieve a diplomatic resolution.'
It is doubtful that Mr Sarkozy will have learned much after his visit today that was not already evident as a consequence of the opinion polls conducted following the referendum. Those on the 'no' side will continue to demand that the Lisbon Treaty is dead. However, with the likelihood that all other 26 countries will ratify the treaty, there will certainly be pressure placed upon Ireland to come to some conclusion about the direction that Lisbon must take. It is unlikely that a simple no will do. Ireland could seek to implement most of the treaty through parliamentary ratification but this might seem politically unwise given the backlash it could entail in a general election. A second referendum will need to include something new for voters, such as protocols on certain issues. There were serious concerns raised during the debate before the referendum concerning tax harmonisation, neutrality, abortion and the loss of EU Commissioners. Any future referendum, if one is to be held, will have to address enough issues to swing the vote back in favour of the treaty. Europe is indeed at a crossroads and at this time it would not be wise to isolate Ireland. As Eamonn Gilmore said today: '“This is not just an Irish problem, this is a European problem and that the start to resolving it has to be a start based on a European solution....Obviously we in Ireland have to contribute to that solution but it is not as simple as the 26 other member-states ratifying and then turning around to Ireland and asking us to think about it again'.
________________________
The Lisbon Treaty was supported by all major political parties, with 160 of 166 TDs (members of parliament) supporting its ratification. The main opponents to the Treaty were the political party Sinn Fein and lobby groups Libertas, Coir and the People Before Profit Alliance.
The referendum to approve the treaty held on 12 June failed with 53.4% voting against.
1 comment:
The only thing we will say when those morons are forced to take on the treaty. Vindication. But I'll say it a lot. Cmon Sakozy!
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