The Minister for Foreign Affairs today told the European Parliament Committee on Constitutional Affairs that Ireland remains a strong supporter of the parliament but said the national debate on its Lisbon vote had to be allowed to "take its course".
“I am acutely aware of the deep disappointment in the Parliament about the outcome of our referendum. I am also mindful of the very measured reaction of the leaders of this Parliament since June,” Micheál Martin said.
He continued: "Ireland has been and remains a strong supporter of a greater role for the European Parliament in the EU legislative process. . . . This parliament has played an important role in the evolution of the Union and must continue to do so in the period ahead.
“The Union is undoubtedly in a difficult situation in the aftermath of the referendum. We need to explore ways of moving forward together which respects the democratic will of the Irish people as well as the interests of our EU partners which have ratified the Treaty and see it as a vital element in the Union's future development.”
“For our part, we want to maintain Ireland's position at the heart of an effective and responsive EU. This has always been Ireland's position throughout the three-and-a-half decades of our EU membership."
“All indications are that the Irish people want this positive approach to the EU to continue. Indeed, Irish public opinion on the Union is more positive than in most other Member States,” Mr Martin said.
He told the committee the Government was determined to find a solution within a "reasonable time frame" but warned it was vital that such a solution met Irish needs as well as those of its EU partners and the Union's institutions.
“I fully understand the anxiety across the Union for progress to be made on the Lisbon Treaty. . . . There is an understandable desire to put this period of internal reflection behind us and to address those issues which impact on the daily lives of 500 million people across the Union.”
But the Minister warned: “I do not want to underestimate the difficulties we face. There is a stark reality than cannot be ignored. We had a referendum in Ireland and our people voted against the ratification of this Treaty. Less than four months have elapsed since that decision and there has not yet been sufficient time for a national debate on the consequences of that decision.
“We need to move forward calmly and carefully. Our national debate needs to take its course. It will occupy much of our attention in the coming weeks. It would be counter-productive to try to press ahead too hastily. A step by step approach is required.”
“Finding a solution will not be easy, but I am convinced that it is possible,” he said.
The Minister also outlined the findings of Government-commissioned “comprehensive research” that examined the reasons behind Ireland’s referendum result on June 12th.
“First, contrary to what the headlines might suggest, our difficult referendum campaign has not shaken Ireland's steadfast belief in the Union. The survey results clearly show that our people want Ireland to continue to be fully involved in the Union.”
The Minister went on to say that a lack of information was a “significant problem” for the electorate; a number of other issues caused concerns for people; and that there were marked differences in voter behaviour between different demographic groups,
He noted that no single issue dominated the referendum campaign: “This means that the situation now is more complex than was the case following the Nice Treaty referendum in 2001.”
Mr Martin pointed out that in recent days, the Government had created a parliamentary Committee on Ireland's future in Europe, through which “a vital national debate” could be conducted.
