No disruption to British ratification
Britain is to continue its process of ratifying the Treaty. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said is it right that they continue with their own process. Parliament is to vote on ratifying the agreement, despite strong pressure on the government to hold a referendum.
Posted at 12:53AM Jun 14, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Lisbon resuscitated?
Whereas Labour thinks the Lisbon Treaty is dead, minds are thinking differently in Europe. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has said the planned Lisbon Treaty is still alive and countries should press ahead with ratifying it, despite Ireland's No vote. Mr Barroso said Brian Cowen should present ideas on the way forward at a summit in Brussels starting next Thursday, so that the 27 EU leaders can take 'joint decisions' during the two-day meeting.
Posted at 10:33PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
An official No
Official result: Ireland has officially rejected the Lisbon Treaty. See rte.ie/news for more
Posted at 09:38PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
'Look for a better deal'
Declan Ganley of Libertas has said there is now a clear mandate for Brian Cowen to go back to Europe to look for a better deal for the Irish people. He said this is not a Euro-sceptic vote but is a clear and reflective pro-European vote that sends out a message that Europe needs to be more responsive to its citizens.
Posted at 07:35PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Irish 'disconnect'
Former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald has said it is disturbing that there is such a disconnect between the elected leaders and their people. He said Ireland has to face the fact that the other countries will want to go ahead with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and that is a real problem for Ireland. Are we going to block them, he asked? He said this is a crisis for Ireland and for Europe.
Posted at 07:33PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Lisbon Treaty is 'dead'
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore has said the Lisbon Treaty is dead and cannot now be ratified. He said there has been a definite decision by the Irish people and that must be respected. He said there cannot be a two-speed Europe. He said Ireland has very much been a part of Europe and wants to continue to be part of it.
Posted at 07:14PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Netherlands to continue ratification
The Netherlands, which rejected the EU constitution three years ago, will continue ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, despite its apparent rejection by Ireland. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende today described the apparent No vote by the Irish to the European Union treaty as disappointing.
Posted at 07:02PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Looking like a No
With results in from 21 of the 42 constituencies, it is looking like a No vote on the Lisbon Treaty. Young FG has directed blame at Taoiseach Brian Cowen, for what they called a 'disastrous' result. Meanwhile, Cathy Sinnott MEP has welcomed the speculated outcome. She said the people of Europe will be delighted with the No outcome as they were not given the chance to vote.
Posted at 06:59PM Jun 13, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Over and out, 'til Thursday
See you Thursday, when all of Europe will be watching Ireland vote in the long-awaited Lisbon Treaty referendum!
Posted at 11:34PM Jun 10, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
'Unjust' to the people of Ireland
At its last news conference of the campaign, CÓIR has said it is unjust to the people of Ireland to expect, them alone, to decide what is best for Europe by being the only country voting on the Treaty. Richard Greene of the group's Lisbon information campaign said the Treaty is undemocratic and is likely to have a negative affect on social and family issues.
Posted at 06:51PM Jun 10, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
A step too far
Deputy Tony Gregory has said he is calling for a No vote in the referendum. He said he believes the Lisbon Treaty is a step too far and hands over too much power to unelected bureaucrats in Brussels.
Posted at 06:44PM Jun 10, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
The final push
It's the final push for votes, ahead of tomorrow's moratorium. Both sides are upping their game with a full day of campaigning planned. German, French and Austrian campaigners are joining the No side in the final push for votes today. Sinn Féin, Libertas, the People's Movement, the Irish Anti-war Movement and Cóir are all holding various final briefings today. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, the Green Party leader and Irish Alliance for Europe are pushing for a Yes vote in various conferences and briefings throughout the day. Watch this space for updates!
Posted at 04:15PM Jun 10, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
No protection of rights
Members of the TEEU and UNITE’s regional secretary have called for a No vote. They say that the Charter of Fundamental Rights will not protect the rights of workers and the Treaty will further accelerate the privatisation of the public service. Read more on the Charter here.
Posted at 03:32PM Jun 10, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Three seats to Brussels booked
Libertas has bought tickets for a flight to Brussels on Friday evening for Brian Cowen, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore. The anti-Lisbon group says they should use the tickets if Irish voters reject the Lisbon Treaty. Libertas chairman Declan Ganley said the three, who are calling for a Yes vote, should fly to Brussels to start renegotiating the Treaty if it is defeated in Thursday's referendum.
Posted at 10:03PM Jun 09, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |
Denied a vote
A 73-year-old businessman has launched a High Court challenge on the British government's refusal to hold a referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty. Stuart Wheeler said he believes the government has reneged on a promise to hold a vote on the treaty. Former PM Tony Blair had promised a referendum on the Constitutional Treaty, which was then rejected by 'no' votes in French and Dutch referendums in 2005. Mr Wheeler's lawyer said that promise resulted in 'legitimate expectation that a referendum would be held in respect of that treaty, and by implication any treaty containing substantially similar terms, whatever its name.'
Legal team for the Prime Minister’s office described Mr Wheeler's case as ‘a direct challenge to the authority of parliamentary process’.
Posted at 09:41PM Jun 09, 2008 by Robert.OShaughnessy@rte.ie in General |