Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

All in all, the Council conclusions appear to be an exercise in smoke and mirrors. They do not provide credible guarantees where they are needed. They divert attention away from many of the real reasons for the "No" vote. They fail to deliver positive reasons for voting in favour of the Lisbon treaty. They attempt to confuse a number of issues in order to give full reign to fear and misinformation in a rerun of the referendum.

Having seen them in action over this past short spell, the approach of some members of the Government, including those present, has been arrogant.

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