Ireland 'isolated' after shock No vote

Ireland is isolated within the European Union following the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, a Government minister said this morning.

As the Government and main political parties take stock of yesterday's shock defeat of the treaty in the referendum, Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan said he "can't see a situation" where the treaty could be voted on again by the Irish electorate.

"I think the result is deeply damaging to our position within Europe...and in fact to put this again is to create a double risk of creating even more damage to our interests internationally and within the European Union," he said in RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

“I'm not saying I'm ruling out the possibility that it could be voted on again, but I really think it would take a huge amount of effort on the Government and Europe’s part to put this question again.

"It is very difficult to think where we go from here. Ireland remains extremely isolated at this point because we are the only country, to date anyway, to have rejected the Lisbon treaty. I think it is time people in Ireland understood that

"Most people [in Europe] are in favour of this treaty", he added.

Founder of anti-Lisbon group Libertas, Declan Ganley, said this morning he was “horrified” that a second vote on the treaty was even being discussed.

“It is absolutely stunning that even after the Irish people have sent a resounding message for democracy to these people that they continue not to hear the message,” Mr Ganley said.

The treaty was rejected by Irish voters in Thursday’s vote sparking a crisis for plans to reform European Union structures.

After counting finished yesterday, it emerged a total of 53.4 per cent voted to reject the treaty, while 46.6 per cent voted in favour. All but 10 constituencies rejected the treaty, with a total of 752,451 voting in favour of Lisbon and 862,415 votes against. Turnout was 53.1 per cent.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen's constituency of Laois Offaly was last to declare a result and voted in favour of the treaty.

Mr Cowen said last night the result had created “considerable uncertainty and a difficult situation”. He must now travel to Brussels next week to discuss with his European Colleagues what happens next at a summit starting on Thursday.

Ireland was the only country to hold a referendum on the Treaty as other countries ratified it in parliament. Ireland’s rejection means the treaty, aimed at reforming European institutions, must it may have to be abandoned or renegotiatied.

Speaking during a press conference in Government Buildings yesterday, Mr Cowen said the result was a “source of disappointment to my colleagues in Government and to me”.

“We have a duty to reflect on the implications of the vote to Ireland so we can move forward and to keep this country on the path to progress," Mr Cowen said.

“There is no quick fix, it will not be resolved easily,” he added. It is time to “pause and examine what has happened”, he added.

“I will be devoting my full political energies for finding a way forward for my country”.

Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan said Ireland had lost influence in Europe following the rejection of the treaty by the electorate. Speaking as final results were being counted yesterday evening, Mr Lenihan thanked those who voted Yes but said he was “very, very disappointed” with the outcome.

“I think it is a very sad day for this country and for Europe as well,” Mr Lenihan said.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said EU member countries who have yet to ratify the Lisbon Treaty should "continue to do so" despite the result of the Irish referendum.

Mr Barroso said the European Union will "respect the outcome of this referendum."

He said he had spoken with Mr Cowen and believed that Ireland remained remained "committed to a strong Europe".

Mr Barroso said the Government "needs to assess what this [No vote] means for the process". He added that the Commission would hear next week how Mr Cowen proposes to advance the process.

"The European Council meets next week – and that is the place where joint decisions should be taken on issues that concern us all. The “No” vote in Ireland has not solved the problems which the Lisbon Treaty is designed to solve."

"The ratification process is made up of 27 national processes, 18 Member States have already approved the Treaty, and the European Commission believes that the remaining ratifications should continue to take their course."

The European Commission President said the European Council "wanted to hear Brian Cowen’s analysis, as well as his ideas on how to address the concerns expressed by those who chose to vote No."

"At the same time, the EU institutions and the Member States should continue the work of delivering for the citizens of Europe on issues like growth and jobs, social cohesion, energy security, climate change and fighting inflation. Working together in the EU remains the best way to deal with the challenges affecting Europeans today," he added.