Madam, - I welcome Stephen Collins's call for a differentiated interpretation of the recent Lisbon Treaty referendum vote (Opinion, August 2nd). It is apparent that the rejection of Lisbon is going to gravely damage the national interest. The Government cannot simply ratify blindly a decision that exposes the nation to a future of poverty, powerlessness and isolation.
Indeed, this is a case where a responsible Government must sacrifice itself, banking on the future gratitude of the people. That the Irish people wish to be part of the European Union has been made clear in a whole series of decisions over the years and in the immense investment we have made in building up the Union. To overthrow all this on the basis of one muddled referendum (in which the Yes side was financially hamstrung while the No side drew on abundant foreign funds) would be a betrayal of the democratic will of Irish citizens for decades. - Yours, etc,
(Rev) JOSEPH S. O'LEARY,
Sophia University,
Tokyo,
Japan.
Madam, - I disagree with Brian Wall (August 6th) when he says any attempt by the Government to ratify the Lisbon Treaty "despite the result of the recent referendum demonstrates a breathtaking contempt for democracy". I also disagree with Dr David Honan, who seems to imply that Stephen Collins's column last Saturday "constitutes incitement to treason".
I am old enough to remember three elections in two years, all with different results. That was neither "contempt for democracy" nor an "incitement to treason". Democracy is not infallible. Hitler was elected by universal suffrage.
Whether we voted Yes or No in the recent referendum, we should not be so arrogant as to close our minds as to whether or not we have made the right decision. - Yours, etc,
A. LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Madam, - Stephen Collins has shocked some readers with his proposal that the Dáil, rather than the electorate, should now ratify the Lisbon Treaty.
However, the likelihood of Brian Cowen taking the political risk involved seems even less than the likelihood of him actually getting a second referendum successfully past the post.
A way out of the Lisbon impasse seems as far away as ever, particularly now that Mr Cowen has managed to further damage the cross-party political consensus in favour of the treaty.
Having been very late out of the traps, due to the distraction of Bertie Ahern's extended lap of honour, followed by his own coronation and victory lap, Mr Cowen still felt it appropriate to give a very public slap in the face to Fine Gael, his largest political pro-Lisbon ally. That party's natural resentment can now be viewed in a new light, as analysis of the advertising spending on the campaign shows that Fianna Fáil invested only a fraction of the amount spent by Fine Gael.
Unless Brian Cowen demonstrates an ability to build rather than destroy political consensus, there's no possibility of the Lisbon Treaty being ratified in Ireland. - Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.