The first "No" vote may have created huge concerns for applicant countries but, in hindsight, it did us a favour. Each of us had to start thinking about the problems. They were divided into two areas. People had no difficulty with the concept of enlargement. We wanted other countries to join, as we did in 1972. The problem was the future of Europe and its impact on Irish citizens. The referendum failed the first time because we took the people for granted. I did not canvass because I thought it was a fait accompli, nothing to do with me. However, the public told me it had to do with me. People were not prepared to vote for something they knew nothing about. In hindsight, the "No" vote stimulated discussion on the reason for the failure of the proposed amendment, on the feeling that Europe was far removed, and that there was a democratic deficit and no control over proposals made and ratified in Europe which we had no opportunity to discuss.