Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Chancellor Merkel used her visit here to call for a "Yes" vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum. Has the Taoiseach had the opportunity to speak directly to the German Chancellor since the referendum result of 12 June? Has he availed of an opportunity to impress upon her and other European member state leaders, as he should do, that the process of ratification of the reform treaty cannot now proceed as clearly the required unanimity is not in place? Has he done that much, in the time since the Irish people spoke on 12 June?

The German Chancellor, the President of the European Commission and other EU leaders have, quite frankly, insulted the Irish electorate and true democrats across all of the member states of the European Union by, on the one hand, claiming to respect the Irish electorate's decision while, on the other, almost speaking at the same time out of both sides of their mouths, urging the continuation of the process of ratification by other member states. Does the Taoiseach agree that this is hardly showing respect?

Does he also accept that by his failure to make it abundantly clear that the process of ratification cannot now proceed, his claims of showing respect and acceptance do not translate into the required action that he should have taken at this point in time and should yet take, in order to give a true translation of so-called respect and acceptance of the Irish people's decision on the Lisbon treaty proposals? This is seen as deplorable not only by all of those who voted "No" on 12 June, but by many who voted "Yes". It is seen by a significant swathe of opinion in Ireland and beyond as deplorable that the Taoiseach has not taken a firm stand in making it abundantly clear that the Lisbon treaty cannot now be repackaged and put back before the people in order to force them into acceptance on a later date. Will the Taoiseach truly recognise, which is the language we want, the will of the people and take this opportunity to firmly rule out a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty?

How can the Taoiseach and other EU member state leaders claim that the EU is a partnership of equals and that treaties require unanimity when a member state electorate — the Irish electorate — has so clearly spoken? A significant majority of in excess of half of the electorate turned out, which was a considerable turnout on the day, as referenda go in this jurisdiction.

There is what I can only describe as an ongoing effort to force the Irish electorate to accept a second presentation of the Lisbon treaty at a future date. Does the Taoiseach not recognise that this is the clear and unquestionable intent of many of the EU leaders who have spoken on the Irish electorate's decision on 12 June and that his failure to act affirmatively and resolutely in line with the decision of the Irish voters on 12 June is giving oxygen to that particular purpose? I speak on behalf of all those who voted "No", and I do so with respect to all of the wide opinion that reflected, and many people who voted "Yes" who believe this effort to unravel the democratically expressed will of the Irish people is an absolute travesty of democracy, justice and fair play within the EU today.

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