Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have already made it clear that we are in uncertain and uncharted territory. I cannot anticipate the outcome of discussions which have yet to take place, the concerns I will be able to express and the responses others may give to me. I do not expect that to be resolved this week, the following week or the week after. The process of engagement must now begin where we assess the reasons for the vote and see if there are ways we can address those concerns. I do not know whether we can address those concerns, some of which are contradictory. People voted against the treaty for a range of reasons. Different people had different perceptions and a different view of what the treaty involved, which may or may not have been objectively based on the treaty provisions. To what extent can the Government or the Irish people be assisted in addressing some of those concerns remains to be seen. We must assess and take stock of last week's result. I intend to start a process that will garner as accurate a picture as possible for the motivation and reasons behind the votes on all sides. That does not take away from the fact that a majority voted "No" last Thursday and that fact of life must be dealt with.

In the spirit of solidarity that has always been part of the Union's methodology, other member states indicate that they wish to hear from us and to enter into a process of consultation and dialogue to see whether there is a way forward so that the objectives of the EU can be achieved and its citizens can be best served by the Union being effective etc. As was said during the campaign, there is not a plan B or a plan C. This was the outcome of long and deliberate negotiations on the treaty. A judgment was given by the Irish people last Thursday and that reality must be accommodated in terms of the discussions that must take place among the 27 member states, in view of the law on the treaty which states that it cannot be ratified unless everyone agrees to it.

See this speech in context