Michael Mulcahy (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

I want to share time with Deputy Cyprian Brady, if the House agrees.

Last Thursday, 12 June 2008, the Irish people rejected the Lisbon reform treaty by a margin of 53.4% to 46.6%. Nobody can say that there was not a full debate, or query the level of turnout — 53.13% as opposed to 34.9% in the first Nice treaty referendum and 49.47% in the second Nice treaty referendum. Many different politicians and commentators have tried to explain and rationalise the "Yes" and "No" votes and various reasons have been put forward. However, all of this is mere speculation. Furthermore, everyone says we should respect the outcome. I agree, but respecting the outcome should not consist of advancing one's own hypothesis as regards why people voted one way or the other.

The only thing that may be said with certainty is that the Irish people rejected a proposed treaty which would have deepened our engagement in Europe and pooled an even larger part of our sovereignty. To fully accept this point is, I believe, to truly respect the people's choice. In this context the attempt by the Opposition to link the "No" vote with alleged failures of the Government is extremely disrespectful to both "No" and "Yes" voters. I believe most Irish people are supportive of the European Union as a scheme of co-operation between sovereign member states in areas of mutual concern and interest. I do not believe the people want a united states of Europe within which their sovereignty gets so diluted as to be negated. After centuries of struggle, Ireland is but a young nation. Hibernia has but started drinking from the cup of freedom. It is too early to dash it from her lips.

Our party leader, the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, together with our former leader, Deputy Bertie Ahern, did a magnificent job in securing agreement on the constitutional treaty where several other European Presidencies had failed. Unfortunately, a crucial influence in that treaty was a small clique of europhiles whose vision is that of a united or federal Europe that is greater than any one of its member states — people such as Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Jean-Luc Dehaene and, indeed, our own John Bruton. Their vision was first rejected by the people of France and the Netherlands. A slightly different vision has just been rejected by the Irish people and would, I believe, be rejected by virtually every other country in Europe were it put to a vote. The net conclusion is inescapable. The Brussels political elite is out of touch with the people of Europe.

Ireland is lucky to have a leader of the calibre of the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, at this most crucial time. His task is monumentally difficult. He must faithfully represent the views of the nation, as voiced last Thursday, while ensuring that Ireland can stay engaged in the heart of Europe at a level that is consistent with maintaining the sovereignty it so greatly cherishes. Members of the political elite in Brussels and elsewhere should, instead of seeking solutions to the so-called "Irish problem", spend a period of time engaging with their own citizens and try to build a Europe that has their genuine support and confidence. Hibernia has spoken and anybody who tries to drown out her voice will pay a terrible price.

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