Leadership

Cowen expects second Lisbon vote in October

19.06.2009
The Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD has said that that a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will likely be held this October.

Speaking to reporters following the conclusion of talks with EU leaders in which a number of legal guarantees requested by the Irish Government on the Lisbon Treaty were successfully negotiated, the Taoiseach said that he thought Ireland would be in a position to hold the second referendum on the treaty at the start of October.

In a statement, the Taoiseach said the outcome of the talks with EU leaders was of “huge significance” for both Ireland and for the EU.

“The doubts that were raised about certain issues have been clarified and put to rest once and for all. The guarantees make crystal clear that Ireland remains in control of our own tax rates; Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is unaffected by the treaty; and the protections in the Irish constitution on the right to life, education and the family are not in any way affected by the Lisbon Treaty,” he said.

“It is 12 months since the Irish people voted No. During that year, the world has been plunged into an unprecedented recession … The Lisbon Treaty will equip the European Union to deal with an unpredictable future. And more than ever, we need an effective Europe now.”

The Taoiseach stressed the importance of EU membership to Ireland: “Small countries like Ireland cannot afford to go it alone. Membership of the European Union enables us to shape issues with global impact. And it provides us with stability in difficult periods – such as that we are currently experiencing.”

He said he was confident that he had a solid basis to “go to the Irish people and to ask them again for their approval for Ireland to ratify the Treaty, so that Europe can move on”.

He also said he was looking forward to a “mature debate” about the Lisbon Treaty, “free of the scares, myths and misinformation which marred last year's campaign”.

“The European Union is central to our future. It is the platform for much of our prosperity. And it is essential for very many of our jobs. Ireland's place is at its heart: that is where we plan to remain,” the Taoiseach said.