Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I begin by expressing my regret in regard to the result though, of course, I accept it. Some 800,000 people voted "No" and 700,000 voted "Yes". It is important not to forget that 47% of the people voted "Yes" and that they remain committed to European integration.

What we have seen in recent days is indicative of the reality of the campaign. We were told by Sinn Féin, Libertas and the other "No" groups that a plan B existed which was waiting to be signed off on. We now know that was untrue. It was a deceit of the Irish people on their part and there is no plan B. There is a number of possible options, none of which is particularly attractive.

We also know the claim that we would lose our Commissioner as a result of a "Yes" vote was bogus because we stand to lose our Commissioner next year when that position would have been guaranteed had we voted "Yes". It has been suggested by some in Libertas that we can use our veto to block the appointment of the Commission. We have already vetoed one treaty and cannot now veto the establishment of a new European Commission. The reality is that organisations on the "No" side are pretending to be pro-European. While they have very cleverly adopted pro-European language, they are wreckers. People from this country and from overseas are using these organisations to wreck the European project and are doing well, unfortunately.

The question arises at to where we go from here. Ireland has voted "No" twice in seven years, which is hugely significant. We may have another referendum next year and it is possible it too will be rejected. Ireland will then have voted "No" to Europe three times in eight years. If this were to happen, Ireland's position as a core member of the European Union could not continue. That is the reality of what is happening.

As a result of the "No" vote last week, our influence at European level is diminished. While it may be unfair to say this, people will interpret the "No" vote as meaning Ireland was only interested in the benefits it could obtain from Europe and was unwilling to show solidarity with other countries when asked to vote for enlargement and on key issues such as trade, energy security and climate change. People will assume we wanted to go our own way on all these issues and that we were not prepared to offer solidarity when asked for it. This is how the result of the vote will be viewed in many European capitals and that is bad for us.

While I am not sure of Government policy on this, it would appear we are moving some way towards a 26:1 scenario with other countries ratifying the treaty and Ireland being left out on its own. It is likely we will be asked to vote next year on a new Lisbon treaty or to choose external association thereby becoming a little like Norway or Switzerland which are in some ways attached to the European Union but are not full members. We cannot vote "No" three times in eight years and expect to continue as a member of the European Union.

I believe in a democratic Europe; I am a federalist. I believe we will have to have a different debate during the coming months. We must decide whether we want to be in or out of Europe and must examine the merits and demerits in this regard. We could opt for external association if the Irish people genuinely do not want to be part of this European project, part of an ever-increasing, ever closer Union of people and states. We need to consider that. That is the reality of what is before us. It might not be a bad option to take. We could then at a later stage decide to engage more fully in Europe.

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