Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

It goes without saying that all of us who supported the Lisbon treaty and who believe passionately in Europe as the way forward for peace and progress are disappointed with the outcome of the referendum. The people have made their decision, however, and that decision must be respected. It must also be understood and it should certainly not be distorted. The Taoiseach made clear last Friday and again today his respect for the views of the people as expressed in the ballot box.

The Government strongly supported the Lisbon treaty on the basis that the member states had reached an agreement which would allow the European Union to work more effectively in the interests of member states and, of course, in the interests of Ireland. On the basis that the aim of the treaty was to equip the countries of Europe to deal with the global challenges that face us collectively and individually, big and small, this was a good treaty. On the basis that Ireland's national interests were best served by a place at the centre of Europe, playing a constructive, realistic and engaging role, this was a good treaty.

When we analyse and examine such evidence as has become available, particularly today and yesterday, it is interesting to see the views of people who voted "No". They too shared the belief that Ireland's place is at the heart of the European Union. In our support for the treaty, we were joined by all but one of the political parties in this House, by representative groups, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, IBEC, chambers of commerce, the farming organisations and others who played a committed part at national and local level. This should not easily be dismissed. I am very grateful for the support, in particular of the main Opposition parties, and I have put that on record several times.

The Taoiseach has stated that we will need time to analyse the result properly and to look for an acceptable and practical way forward. It is clear that the result of the referendum brings about considerable uncertainty and tremendous difficulty for this country. It will not be resolved easily and the Government understandably will need time to reflect. I certainly do not share the interpretations made by the previous speaker, Deputy Ó Caoláin, as to how we should deal with the problems which we face. We must reflect on the way forward for Ireland and for Europe, and that will take time. There is a need to avoid snap judgments and there is certainly a need to avoid hasty decisions. We must avoid setting the bar too high and we must see that this is an important point in the history of Ireland's hugely successful engagement with the European Union. That engagement has been at the centre of our progress since 1973. Our social, economic and political progress has been dependent on and greatly assisted by our membership of the European Union. The peace process on this island has been significantly assisted by our membership of the European Union. It is a very strange person who would suggest that we should easily dismiss all that.

With the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, I attended Monday's meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council where our counterparts were briefed on the referendum. While there was understandable disappointment, there was also understanding of our position and our need to consider matters in light of the referendum result. There was also a wide degree of support and solidarity because Europe is not built on bullying by the large of the small. Europe was built by the members states operating in unison and solidarity, not in the perverted view that somehow it is an undemocratic process. That is precisely the opposite of the truth, but many of the arguments and allegations made in this campaign have been the opposite of the truth.

One good and positive factor at the meeting in Luxembourg is that there was no attempt to isolate us. As Members of the House will be aware from media reports, there is a general strong desire that ratification should continue in other members states. That is their right. We have had our say and it is right to measure the views of other member states and to let them, within their democratic processes, have their view. It is a strange and distorted view of democracy to suggest that we should have our say and then prevent others from having theirs.

In my contacts with my counterparts I stressed the need for us to take sufficient time to analyse what has happened and to consult both domestically and with our European partners in order to find an agreed way forward. Dialogue is the way forward. I recalled that the European Union's record of success in overcoming past setbacks of this kind and expressed the hope that working together we can do so again on this occasion. The European Council meeting tomorrow provides an early opportunity for the Taoiseach to give his initial assessment of the referendum result and its implications. I have no doubt that he will be heard with the same quiet and supportive attitudes in which we were heard in Luxembourg the other day.

An important point that the Government will stress in the period ahead is that the Irish are committed to the European Union. It is interesting to note, looking at the flash Eurobarometer poll published in the The Irish Times today of those who voted "No" last Thursday and surveyed in this report, that 80% support Ireland's European membership. If one presumes that 100% of those who voted "Yes" also support that membership it suggests that politicians, rather than posturing and adopting attitudes, should now find a way forward to ensure that Ireland's European membership continues to be strong and central to this issue.

It is also interesting to examine in the same survey the issues and concerns. We know the type of campaign through which we have just come. We know there was a blizzard of misleading statements and distortions of facts, that the truth was simply chucked aside and that there was a mendacious effort to mislead the people. The interesting point, however, is that the positive attitude which has been reflected towards Europe in all other opinion polls is again visible in this poll. I believe it is important that Europe plays a positive and important role in our future.

Another interesting point reported in the press today was that approximately three quarters of those who voted against the treaty believe that the Government can renegotiate exceptions within the text. They did not suggest that the process is completed and should be rejected. I point out that 18 member states have effectively ratified the treaty and it will not be long before 25 or 26 members states do so. The Government must work hard, therefore, to reflect the people's concerns as we move forward. At the same time we must respect that there are 26 other parties to this agreement.

The previous speaker is right, we should stick with the facts, but that, of course, is not what happened in the recent campaign. One undeniable fact, however, is that those in Europe who celebrated last Thursday give everybody pause for thought. I speak of Mr. Le Pen, or the extraordinary sight of an Irish pub in Brussels converted into a den for the United Kingdom Independence Party, UKIP, group which showed its respect for this nation and what we stand for by using our tricolour as the tablecloth for their drinks. That speaks volumes about those in Europe who welcomed this decision.

The reality is that we have a difficult situation and it will not be made any easier by posturing. It is a matter of some irony that newspapers from across the water which have attacked the European Union for decades presented themselves as pro-EU, even pro-agriculture, after assaulting the Common Agricultural Policy from the outset. All that, however, is about yesterday. What we should be concerned about is tomorrow and the next day, where we go from here and how we build on the position in which we are now. I agree with the Taoiseach's earlier comments that today's debate should be part of a national discussion that we must undertake. Today's debate is about being honest with ourselves in light of the decision we have taken. It is about reflecting not only on the events of last week but also on what they might mean for our nation in the decades ahead. Ireland and the rest of the Union must learn from the campaign.

It came across in Luxembourg that there is an understanding that Europe needs to reconnect with its citizens. We need to simplify the message and try to centre debates on the European Union on facts rather than myths. We need to examine why people voted against the treaty and establish how to address their fears.

As a country, we face just about the greatest diplomatic and international challenge in our modern history. We must convince ourselves and others that we want to find a solution that places Ireland at the heart of Europe. I agree with Deputy Gilmore's comments that we should not lose sight of the advances we made through our EU partnership and membership, particularly in terms of social Europe.

Last Thursday's vote was not a rejection of Europe or of the need to continue to improve the European Union's functions and effectiveness. Ireland's future is bound to Europe's future and this is the view of the vast majority of Irish people. We face uncertainty and a great challenge and we must do so with great care. It is incumbent on us all to ensure we respond carefully and with the interests of Ireland at heart.

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