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Cowen warns Sarkozy: Back off on Lisbon Treaty vote

Monday, 21 July 2008

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will today bluntly tell Nicolas Sarkozy to stop interfering in Irish politics by pressing the Government to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Mr Cowen will warn the French president he is "swelling the ranks" of the 'No' campaign every time he intervenes. The message will be delivered at a key meeting in Government Buildings this afternoon, insiders revealed last night.

The Government's tough stance follows a week of disarray ahead of today's visit, which led to the threat of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore snubbing the talks.

Last night, following frantic day-long negotiations, Mr Kenny agreed to attend a one-to-one meeting with Mr Sarkozy which will last for around 10 minutes in Government Buildings.

However, the Labour Party, which was said to be "happy with the progress made" with French officials, had not reached a final decision on Mr Gilmore's attendance.

Both parties yesterday held out on securing individual meetings within the French president's action-packed, four-hour schedule. European Minister Dick Roche said he fully appreciated the stance taken by Mr Gilmore on Friday in declining the original invite to speak for three minutes with some 15 other guests.

He said the past week's events had not been a "triumph for organisation" but it was now important to focus on today's opportunities.

"Frankly, if the arrangements had been made under my office, I would obviously have prepared for space to have been made for the opposition leaders to meet President Sarkozy in Government Buildings or in Leinster House.

"But the protocol arrangements are being made by the French officials," he told the Irish Independent.

Mr Roche further claimed the Government had made its position on the Lisbon Treaty fallout "very clear" and is now determined to understand the "extraordinary width of objections" to the Lisbon Treaty.

"Before we start putting together any sort of a formula to the decision that has been made, we must first have a deep reflective analysis of the decision itself. There is no point in putting together ideas from the top of our heads," he said.

Despite previous pledges by Mr Sarkozy to find a solution, either in October or December, Mr Roche said the Irish Government would not be returning to the October European Summit with a "fully fleshed-out plan", because it will take considerable time to assess the 'No' vote.

He said October would be "far too early to be speaking about a solution".

A Government source last night said recent remarks by the French president on Ireland voting again had "not been helpful".

The Government was also keen to emphasise its role in trying to set up a meeting between President Sarkozy and the opposition leaders as such a proposition had originally been tabled by Irish officials weeks ago.

But a Government spokesman was keen not to be seen dictating to the French on how to organise the events.

"The Irish Government has created what we believe is a significant opportunity for the main opposition leaders to engage," the spokesman said.

Amid the frantic efforts to accommodate the opposition leaders and provide a media opportunity, the possibility of slightly extending the visiting time for Mr Sarkozy was still being examined last night.

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This is most annoying to read. There is clearly a convenient political tact disconnect between the "For's and Against's". The NO vote means (I think) NO to the INTENT of the treaty or by whichever names it is preferred. Those that argue FOR seem to interpret the NO as to mean the CONTENT. Thereby all that is needed is to massage the words to appease the NO vote. Most annoying, I am English and have been denied a say, I salute all who speak on our ignored behalf - I believe by reading many articles and comments that the majority of Europeans would vote against this dreadful infrastuctural manipulatiion tool. Hold firm please.

Posted by Alan | 22.07.08, 11:41 GMT

Well, i think it's pitty that a country like Ireland has refused this treaty! Ireland, which got rich in the last 15 years, just because of the money of the EU.
Shame on Irish people- really! If a country like the UK would have refused it, I could understand it, but not from a country like Ireland!
Do u really think that all things we accomplished over 50 years are so self-given?

Posted by Olli | 22.07.08, 07:30 GMT

i welcome a time when english will left EU. They should left Eu. For Ireland from my side i hope you will manage to find a better way then to make referendums on every EU law.

Posted by jhtd, Athen, European Union | 22.07.08, 06:02 GMT

it's democracy itself is now being threatened. What part of "no" do they not understand!

Posted by Mrs. Rene O'Riordan | 22.07.08, 00:37 GMT

Well done Ireland, do not bow to the pressure. I have spent the day reading headlines in the news and getting angry. "The UK ratifies the Lisbon Treaty". No it does NOT! ONE man ratified the Treaty.... The unelected PM, Mr Brown. The UK has not ratified the Treaty because it has not been asked if it wants to. Harriot Harmon says "it's in Britain's interest to be at the heart of Europe", and Nanny knows best! I am getting sick and tired of being told what's good for me without asking for my opinion on it.
Ireland has set an example to the rest of Europe in respect that the Government is there FOR the people and accountable TO the people.

Posted by Dave | 22.07.08, 00:27 GMT

Being that i am Canadian and have grave concern with the secrecy surrounding the Security and prosperity partnership with the U.S and Mexico and also the plans behind the North American Union, I commend Mr. Cowen for remaining stern on the Lisbon Treaty matter. There is a hidden agenda and this agenda does not honor the free will of the general public. These treaty's and Global unions are about the establishment of a one world government - all sovereignty will be lost forever if the global elites, bankers and businessmen are successful. It is imperative to stay on course with the current opposition to the Lisbon Treaty as it is obviously more about power and control rather than Democratic Principles.

Posted by frank | 21.07.08, 21:56 GMT

Dear Irish People,

Just ignore Sarkozy until the end of the French presidency of the UE.

We do not want the Lisbon treaty as well in France, but the "elites" want it so much.

The Irish NO is a hugh breath of air in Europe.

Thank you so much !

Posted by Antoine | 21.07.08, 21:27 GMT

On reading this article, I gained the impression that the Irish Government , having had the courage and good sense to put the question re the Lisbon Treaty to the people in a referendum, are now showing their truly democratic stance in refusing to submit to any bullying designed to make them have a second referendum, in the probably forlorn hope that the people may have changed their minds.
If the UK Government had abided by their promise to the people at election time to have a referendum on the matter, they would, I feel, have found a similar rejection in the UK.
Well done, the Irish Government, more power to their elbows. Now let us have an early General Election here in the UK and get a fairer Government which is truly democratic.

Posted by Dave of Luton | 21.07.08, 15:57 GMT

well done the irish people,you have let europe know you cant be kicked around, unlike the gutless british,of which i am one,anything is good enough for us.

Posted by michael bell, basingstoke | 21.07.08, 15:48 GMT