Martin 'accuses British think-tank of meddling in Lisbon debate' 27/07/2008 - 15:03:45
Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin today accused a British eurosceptic think-tank of meddling in the country’s national debate on the Lisbon Treaty.
Minister Martin said a poll, commissioned by Open Europe, was an outside interference in discussions on Ireland’s future in Europe.
Mr Martin slammed the study which claimed the Irish electorate would vote No by an even bigger margin if made to have a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
The survey found 71% of voters in the Republic opposed a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, with just 24% in favour.
Of those who expressed an opinion, 62% said they would vote No in a second referendum, compared to 38% who would vote Yes.
“I would like to know what prompted a British organisation with a strong ideological bias to commission a poll into Irish attitudes to Europe at this time,” said Mr Martin.
“Ireland’s future in Europe is a matter for decision by Irish people.”
Mr Martin said the Government has commissioned a study aimed at exploring the reasons behind the No vote.
“This will provide an input into a national debate which needs to take place in the months ahead as we seek to find and agree a way forward that will serve Ireland’s interests,” he continued.
“We will, of course, be consulting with our EU partners, but I do not believe that we have anything to learn from anti-EU bodies like Open Europe.
“Its views are not in tune with Irish interests.”
Neil O’Brien, director of Open Europe which commissioned the Red C poll, maintained that by appearing to bully the voters, EU politicians were driving lots more people into the no camp.
The European Union reform was plunged into chaos last month when the Lisbon Treaty was rejected in an Irish referendum by 53.4% to 46.6%.
The Dáil will be recalled early from its summer recess to establish an all-party body on the Lisbon Treaty that can help plot a way forward.
The poll of 1,000 Irish voters was carried out last week shortly after French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is the current EU Council president, was forced to deny he was bullying Irish voters into holding a second vote while visiting the capital, Dublin.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin today accused a British eurosceptic think-tank of meddling in the country’s national debate on the Lisbon Treaty.
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