Taoiseach refuses to rule out second Lisbon vote
Thursday June 26 2008
TAOISEACH Brian Cowen last night refused to be pinned down on the question of holding a second Lisbon Treaty referendum.
However, Mr Cowen rejected claims there was an ongoing effort to force a referendum on the country, insisting there was "no question" of people being forced to do anything.
Mr Cowen also said he would work to the best of his ability to defend Irish interests and there would be "no coercion, threat, implication or ambivalence" about where the sovereign will of the people resided.
But he did admit that some members of the European Council were "perplexed" by the Irish electorate's rejection of the treaty. Many had also made it clear they had no wish to revisit the text of the treaty and had asked how much time Ireland needed to analyse and reflect on what had happened.
The embattled treaty has already been passed in 19 EU member states, with the remaining countries proceeding with ratification.
Mr Cowen said he had told a meeting with the EU Council last Friday that it was simply too early to know how to move forward and said there was no quick fix at this stage.
"They wish to discuss the situation with me. I can only discuss it with them on the basis of analysing the outcome on the conclusion of the vote and considering if and how we can proceed from here," he said.
Responding to Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore, who pointed out there had been press speculation regarding a second referendum, the Taoiseach said if someone wanted to project beyond the current position it was a "free world".
However, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny insisted Mr Cowen should not expect a "blank cheque" of support from the party if there was a re-run of the treaty after the lack of contact with Fianna Fail TDs in the previous campaign.
- Patricia McDonagh
