We've put our anger aside, but not for long
Massive Yes to Lisbon is the calm before Greens and Budget storms
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TAOISEACH Brian Cowen faces into an autumn of discontent which will afford him no opportunity to savour the first notable success of his leadership -- a massive Yes yesterday to the Lisbon treaty.
After a referendum campaign dominated by the economic crisis, and overshadowed by domestic political controversies, the public clearly parked their anger and turned out in higher than expected numbers -- 59 per cent -- to vote in favour of the treaty.
The official result was Yes, 67.1 per cent and No, 32.9 per cent, but even before the result was announced Fine Gael and Labour vowed to immediately resume hostilities to force from office what they said was the most unpopular Government in the State's history.
While he was clearly pleased by the referendum result, which decisively reversed the No decision of last year, the Taoiseach's thoughts were last night already turning to next weekend when he faces another clear and present threat to the future of his Government.
Fianna Fail's coalition partners, the Greens, will on Saturday have to agree by a two-thirds majority of members to a new Programme for Government which is still under negotiation.
The outcome of the Green Party's process is not a foregone conclusion, but should he overcome that obstacle, the unrelenting pressure on Mr Cowen will continue and even increase. Immediately he will have to prepare his Government for a savage budget which will see an unprecedented €4bn slashed from public spending. Mr Cowen will also have to contend with militant public sector unions intent on protecting the pay, pensions and conditions of their 300,000 members.
Meanwhile, more than 420,000 mainly private sector workers, who are now unemployed, face the likelihood of having their dole payments cut as the Government tries to reduce a growing budget deficit already €2bn wider than expected last April.
Yesterday, however, Mr Cowen was determined to enjoy, albeit briefly, the referendum result which has ensured his survival as Taoiseach for another while. "A win is a win," a Government source said yesterday, "and tomorrow is tomorrow..."
Before the final result was declared, Mr Cowen said: "Today, we have done the right thing for our own future and the future of our children." He added: "On this day, the full and final credit for this victory rests with the Irish people. They showed an Ireland embracing her future in Europe.
"Ireland is ready to grow and to prosper," he said. "Today's vote will help us achieve a common aim -- a prosperous, productive and forward-looking Ireland. We will now apply ourselves to achieving this with imagination, determination and courage."
Mr Cowen will hope to build on momentum created by the result to implement a series of decisions his Government must take to bring about economic recovery.
A Government source said yesterday: "I firmly believe the Greens haven't got the guts to pull the plug. I could be wrong, but I expect that when they look into the abyss, they will pull back." Should the Greens vote in favour, and also back proposed Nama legislation, the Government will then prepare to introduce what will be a ferocious budget.
Although anxious not to appear triumphalist after the Lisbon treaty result, the Government is likely to approach the future with a renewed sense of vigour.
That enthusiasm will be tested, however, when it finally faces up to two of the most difficult decisions it now faces -- to cut public sector pay and social welfare rates.
A Government source said: "There is limited political significance to the Yes vote. A No vote would have been catastrophic. What we are facing into now is the real challenge.
"The public sector is in militant mood. Things might get too hot. It is like a car engine over-heating. The whole thing might blow up."
Yesterday, the leaders of the Opposition, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, were offering little succour to the Government, vowing that normal hostilities would be restored now that the treaty had been passed.
Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore had also campaigned strongly for a Yes vote to the Lisbon treaty.
Yesterday Mr Cowen said: "I want to recognise and thank all those who contributed to this resounding Yes vote, beginning with the other parties in the Dail who stood with us in this campaign.
"You have put the nation ahead of party politics and I thank you for that."
Their contribution to the successful outcome was also noted by the President of the European Commission.
After he congratulated the Taoiseach, President Jose Manuel Barroso also spoke to Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore.
He said: "My message today is very simple: thank you Ireland. It's a great day, for Ireland and for Europe... I am extremely happy about the resounding result of the referendum... I want to congratulate the Irish people on reaching their overwhelming decision after such long and careful deliberation."
President Barroso added: "I see the Yes vote as a sign of confidence by the Irish people in the European Union, as a sign of their desire to be wholehearted members at the heart of the European Union."
- Jody Corcoran
Originally published in
