Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I greatly regret the result of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty. It now is being perceived as a major disaster in respect of Ireland's position in Europe and as a severe setback to the European Union as a whole, particularly when one recalls the seven years of great effort made by many to secure agreement on the contents of the treaty by the member states.

I accept the decision of the people, even though in many cases the "No" campaign was based on gross and dishonest misrepresentation of some of the issues at stake. The result certainly has shocked severely all sections of our community, as well as the peoples of other EU member states. On Friday last, even before the counting of votes concluded, the European Commission President, Mr. Barroso, called on the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, to offer a way forward on Ireland's position to his colleagues at the Heads of State and Government summit in Brussels on Thursday, 19 June.

The position to be clarified now is whether Ireland stays at the centre of EU decision-making or moves to the sidelines as a marginal player with declining influence. The first question for us is how to protect Ireland's place in Europe. The second question for the EU and Ireland concerns the future of the draft Lisbon treaty. I believe that all the other member states will approve the Lisbon treaty in their own democratic fashion in the coming months. Consequently, Ireland will be on its own, with 26 states for and one against. In a joint statement, President Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany have offered a conciliatory response to Ireland and this is most welcome, as far as it goes. However, one must question whether the 26 EU member states will be prepared to reopen or renegotiate the Lisbon proposals. The answer in this regard certainly must be "No".

The Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, is being challenged to put forward those difficulties that must be considered. However, as of now, no one from the disparate "No" groups has identified one or two legitimate concerns that come within the ambit of the provisions and which might be considered by the EU member states to help Ireland out of the position in which it finds itself. It is the responsibility of all those parties and individuals who rejected the treaty to clarify their demands immediately, bearing in mind the need for an Irish consensus on the issue, as well as a European consensus. The choice for Ireland might be to seek clarifications and guarantees that might go to another referendum but which might not get through with the support of the people. Then we could consider the consequences of opting out of the Lisbon treaty provisions voluntarily or, for that matter, we would be obliged to consider the option of being excluded from the treaty provisions, were the other 26 states to decide to pursue them in some other fashion.

Worryingly, there is an emerging scenario against which we must guard at all costs, namely, some form of two-speed or two-tier system developing, irrespective of whichever option is decided on ultimately. It would be an unmitigated disaster were Ireland to end up with second-class membership of Europe in a slower lane. Undoubtedly, it would be with reduced influence and goodwill and without the political firepower to defend our vital national interests. All those on the "No" side should note there is no conflict between being a good Irishman and a good European. I am sure the best wishes of a great majority of Members and the people in general will be with the Taoiseach tomorrow and on Friday in Brussels.

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