Sarkozy fuels new storm by urging second vote on treaty
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Wednesday July 16 2008
OUTSPOKEN French President Nicolas Sarkozy was last night accused of putting his foot in it after he declared that Ireland would have to hold a second Lisbon Treaty referendum.
His reported remark that "the Irish will have to vote again" prompted a storm of criticism from within the 'Yes' and 'No' camps.
Last night, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said President Sarkozy would be in "listening mode" next Monday, and would not be imposing any solutions. He insisted, however, that Mr Sarkozy was entitled to his views and to put forward ideas as he is both a European leader and holds the EU presidency.
"We're not entertaining any prospect or any bullying from anybody. We'll be looking at it from an Irish perspective and what's in the best interests of Ireland. That's the perspective from which we will be coming," he told Today's FM's 'The Last Word'.
A less-forgiving Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said if the comments made by Mr Sarkozy in a private meeting with his UMP party were correct, then he had "seriously put his foot in it".
He said the remarks were unhelpful as they came only days before the president's short visit to Dublin next Monday.
"My understanding that the decision of the European Summit in June was that Ireland would be given time to reflect on the result; to consider what options are now open to us and that no pressure would be exerted on Ireland in regard to a second referendum," he said. "We need that time and space and President Sarkozy should be told that in blunt terms."
Last night, arrangements were still being put in place for the much-anticipated visit. The possibility of holding a discussion forum between all sides of the treaty divide in Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park is being examined.
Forum
However, there were suggestions that this forum may be held in private -- a possibility criticised by Fine Gael's Billy Timmins.
"I think a forum is a good idea. However, the numbers have to be kept small because of the limited time available and it should be open to the media. Otherwise, what's the point of holding it if it's not in public?"
On the anti-treaty side, Sinn Fein's Aengus O Snodaigh said Mr Sarkozy's comments were "deeply insulting" to the Irish people.
"In the month since the Irish people voted overwhelmingly to reject the Lisbon Treaty we have listened to a succession of EU leaders lining up to try and bully and coerce us into doing what they want," he said.
Libertas leader Declan Ganley argued that if there was a future second referendum in Ireland, then France and the Netherlands, which voted against the European Constitution, should also be compelled to hold a second vote.
This was echoed by Labour's Joe Costello, who said the French president would be "well-advised" to reflect on the French experience of 2005.
"It is unthinkable that Ireland should be compelled to conduct a rerun of the Lisbon Treaty after such a strong electoral turnout in the recent Referendum and the fairly significant 'No' vote," he said.
"He is welcome to visit Ireland on 21st July but he should come to help not to hinder."
Amid the controversy which followed the president's comments, his officials last night insisted Mr Sarkozy would not arrive in Dublin on Monday with a "ready-made plan".
"The president is coming to listen to the Irish, to listen to what Brian Cowen tells him. He is not coming to make proposals," one adviser to Mr Sarkozy said. "It is not up to us to make proposals," he added. "It is up to the Irish to tell us what the problem is and what they need to resolve it."
- ine Kerr Political Correspondent
