Policy Focus

Ireland committed to EU despite Lisbon, says foreign minister

Irish foreign minister Micheál Martin has told a parliamentary committee that Ireland remains committed to the EU despite the country’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty.

Presenting the results on Monday of an independent survey into why Ireland rejected the treaty, Martin said his government was “trying to identify the measures necessary” to address the current impasse over the stalled treaty and hoped to have a plan ready by the time EU leaders meet in Brussels for their December summit.

He told the constitutional affairs committee, “We are acutely aware of the deep disappointment felt, not least by this parliament, over the result of the referendum. We are also acutely aware of the expectations of our EU partners and will do our best to satisfy them.”

He said the survey showed that lack of information and clarity was the biggest factor for the rejection of the treaty, cited by some 42 per cent of those who voted no.

However, no single issue dominated the campaign, which, he said, made a difficult situation even more complex.

“The EU is, undoubtedly, in difficulty, and we have to explore ways of moving forward together. We are determined to find a solution within a reasonable timeframe but it is imperative that we find the right solution,” Martin told MEPs.

“We will analyse the results of this survey, find a clear strategy and chart a way forward which is acceptable to all of us. It is important to draw lessons from the referendum and ensure these do not go unheeded.”

The outcome of the research, he said, had not “shaken Ireland’s steadfast faith” in the EU, with 70 per cent of respondents saying they agreed that Ireland's continued EU membership was a good thing and only eight per cent disagreeing.

There was a majority of three to one saying that Irish interests would best be served by remaining in the EU.

Martin said he fully understood the anxiety of those pressing for progress on the treaty and to put a “period of institutional reflection behind us”.

“However, I cannot underestimate the stark reality facing us and the result of the referendum cannot be ignored. But we need to move forward calmly and carefully. It would be counter productive to press ahead too hastily,” he added.

With the EU’s communications strategy chief Margot Wallström sitting alongside him, he also said the commission needed to beef up the way its sells the EU’s merits to the public, adding, “Too many people are unaware of the EU’s achievements.

“Without doubt, this is the fundamental problem – we’re simply not communicating our message effectively.”

Speaking later, Wallström told the packed meeting that many Irish voters had seen a no vote as a “risk-free option” but she pointed out that 24 member states have already ratified the treaty, with this likely to rise to 26 by the end of the year.

“We cannot dismiss this as an irrelevance,” she told the committee.