Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

European integration is a constantly evolving and adapting process which finds new solutions to challenges countries cannot resolve alone, including cross-border crime, climate change, energy security, development aid and many other issues on which the European Union must give leadership. It must do so without undermining the sovereignty of member states or evolving into a federalist super state.

Rather than ignore the "No" vote, we need to recognise and respect it and try to establish in the most scientific manner possible the reasons people voted against the treaty and how we can address their concerns in the context of the reality that the European Union needs to reform. It is in Ireland's interest to be part of the reform process at the heart of decision making in Europe. We must avoid changing our attitudes towards the European Union by somehow aligning ourselves with British Conservative Party thinking, which views the European Union as an economic opportunity but a political headache. If we go down that route, perceptions of Ireland will be badly damaged and none of us wants that.

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