'Sarkozy still not getting message' - 'no' campaigners say
Monday, 21 July 2008
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy was tonight accused of not getting the message that Ireland had rejected the controversial Lisbon Treaty.
Just days after he claimed Ireland must vote again, leading yes and no campaigners held talks with him at the French embassy in Ballsbridge.
Declan Ganley of anti-treaty group Libertas and Patricia McKenna of the People's Movement shrugged off the meeting as predictable and disappointing.
Mr Ganley said that while President Sarkozy was keen to listen to the arguments he was adamant that ratification by all other EU member states should continue.
``The most worrying thing about this meeting is the fact that clearly the message is not properly being heard, perhaps not even being heard at all. We have said no,'' Mr Ganley said.
``This process should continue, this wish to force through this agenda. There is just something fundamentally wrong and broken with that.''
Mr Ganley said Mr Sarkozy acknowledged in the meeting that if the Treaty was put to the French people they would most likely reject it.
But it is understood Mr Sarkozy stressed the French electorate voted for him on the basis that he would tied them through the difficulties created by their rejection of the European Constitution, the forerunner to Lisbon.
Ms McKenna, a former Green Party MEP, said Mr Sarkozy was merely going through the motions by holding the meeting, which was closed to the media.
``He wants to be able to go back to his own people and say I've consulted all sections of Irish society in relation to the Lisbon Treaty, but he is not getting the message,'' Ms McKenna said.
``It was very disappointing when he said that it's only extreme situations that you avoid a vote, in other words that Ireland has to vote again.''
Mr Sarkozy's brief visit to Ireland began with talks at Government Buildings with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the main opposition parties before the meeting at the embassy.
Sinn Fein, the only Dáil party opposed to ratification, was represented at the talks by its President Gerry Adams.
The Sinn Féin president described today's meeting with EU President Nicolas Sarkozy as useful.
Mr Adams said: "Whilst the process of setting up today's meeting was imperfect it is worth noting that Mr Sarkozy did what the Irish government have failed to, he has met with and listened to those who campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty.
"A number of key issues were touched on during the meeting. I noted to the EU President that the reasons behind the No vote were not as complex as he and others have suggested.
"The Irish electorate were deeply concerned with issues such as democracy, Ireland's loss of power within the EU, neutrality and militarisation, workers rights and public services. Indeed these same concerns are shared by many across the European Union.
"I told Mr. Sarkozy that there can be no re running of the Lisbon Treaty. The Irish people have rejected the Treaty by a clear majority and by the EU's own rules it cannot proceed without the ratification of all member states. The Lisbon Treaty is finished therefore negotiations for a new Treaty must begin.
"Sinn Féin had sought a one to meeting with President Sarkozy during his visit to outline in detail our proposals following the Irish people's rejection of the Treaty.
"Whilst we were not afforded the opportunity to do so on this occasion we will continue to pursue our request. During the meeting I presented to the EU President Sinn Féin's 'A Better Deal is Possible' document which outlines in details our proposals of what a new Treaty deal must contain. "
"I concluded by noting the legitimacy of the EU project will come into question unless the views expressed by the Irish people and shared by many throughout the union are listened to and acted upon."
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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
I hope that is a promise Enki of Portugal.
Posted by Robert Boyd | 21.07.08, 15:20 GMT
Stick to your guns,lets get rid of this corrupt monster the E.U.
God bless Ireland,and the Irish people.
Posted by Popeye, England | 21.07.08, 15:04 GMT