EIRE: LISBON VOTE - NO REPEAT OF NICE: CAUTION LEAGUE

The Celtic League has again pressed the Irish Foreign Minister for an unequivocal guarantee that the decision of the Irish people in the Lisbon Treaty vote will be respected. An earlier response from Minister Martin to the Leagues query sent in June was non committal.

«Micheál Martin TD Minister for Foreign Affairs 03/08/08

Our ref: EU080140

Dear Minister Micheál Martin

Irish No Vote for the Lisbon Treaty

Many thanks for your letter dated 30th June 2008.

We were a little disappointed by the brevity of your response to our letter, because even though I did not specifically ask any questions, I nevertheless outlined the position of the League and clearly sought some clarification as to what steps the Irish Government now intend to take with regard to the Irish no vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

Since your letter, Irish Government representatives have met with EU Ministers and officials to discuss the consequences of the referendum and have also recently met with French President Sarkozy, who is now heading the rotating Presidency of the EU. It is no secret that Sarkozy is in favour of the full ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and seems determined to push the legislation through as it is, despite the Irish rejection of the proposal.

Can you therefore now assure the League that the Irish Government will not be bullied into repeating a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty by other EU member states, in the same way as they did over the Nice Treaty? As I stated in my previous communication to you, it is our belief that the decision of the people of the Irish Republic should be upheld and that the Irish No is an opportunity to reform the text of the Treaty along democratic lines.

We look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary»

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

03/08/08