| Friday 20th June, 2008 You are here: Home - 20th June 2008 Index Page - 20th June 2008 Editorial 2008 |
Editorial
AFTER THE REFERENDUM
Two weeks ago, we sounded a seriously cautious note on the Lisbon Treaty, voicing concerns in a variety of areas (Gazette, 30th May, Editorial, page 2). The clear decision now to reject the Treaty has shown tremendous courage on the part of voters in the Republic of Ireland. It is never easy to stand up to powerful people, but, as Gerry Adams said, in this case David won again against Goliath. Indeed, it is gratifying to see Sinn Fein giving such a positive lead; Mary Lou McDonald MEP certainly figures now as a real possible successor in the Sinn Fein leadership in due course.
We welcome the respect shown by Taoiseach Brian Cowan towards the people’s decision. Speaking on Friday last, Mr Cowan expressed not only his own disappointment at the referendum result, but also his absolute commitment to the will of the people. Then again, Minister Micheál Martin’s call on RTÉ radio for a calm and mature reflection on the implications of the ‘No’ result in the Lisbon Treaty referendum was very welcome.
It appears that some people who voted ‘No’ did so because of concerns on specific issues, but the strength of the ‘No’ vote indicates a more fundamental discontent focusing around a growing ‘democratic deficit’ in the EU. Indeed, Die Welt journalist, Thomas Kielinger, speaking on the BBC, aptly described the EU as something of "an enigma wrapped in a mystery". The real issue now is the direction in which the European Union is going, but that is not for one moment to call into question the EU as such. The issue is, rather, what kind of EU - a community of sovereign states or, ultimately, a federal Europe?
The fact that the Republic of Ireland was the only nation to be holding a referendum and voted ‘No’, even though faced with the overwhelming urging of the political establishment - both in Ireland and in Europe - sounds a clear warning that there is a dangerous divide emerging between the people and the political elite. It also calls into question the extent to which the ratification of Lisbon already by a whole series of EU governments actually reflects the will of their peoples.