Fianna Fáil denies Wallace’s ‘Lisbon II’ gaffe

FIANNA Fáil has denied that Junior Minister Mary Wallace said there would be a second referendum if voters reject the Lisbon treaty on Thursday week.

Ms Wallace was quoted in the Sunday Times yesterday as saying she believed a second referendum would be held to secure a yes vote in line with the precedent set by the second Nice treaty plebiscite in 2002.

The paper said a constituent had suggested to Ms Wallace that the Government would opt for a second referendum if Lisbon was rejected first time round.

Ms Wallace was quoted as responding: “Well, you’re a very intelligent man, because you’re right.”

However, a Fianna Fáil spokesman insisted yesterday that Ms Wallace had been misinterpreted.

The spokesman said Ms Wallace was praising the constituent for his knowledge of the events surrounding the two Nice referendums.

“She was talking about Nice I and II and said, ‘You’re an intelligent man, most people wouldn’t remember Nice I and II’,” said the spokesman.