Ireland must stay at heart of EU, says Kenny

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny said the Taoiseach must ensure that Ireland remains a central player in the European process, following the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in Thursday’s referendum.

Mr Kenny expressed disappointment with the referendum result, but said it is important that we now look to the future. “The fact of the matter is the people have given a clear cut message here and the political process has to take that into account. I expect that the government have now got to discuss this, the Taoiseach has to go out next week and take this up with his European colleagues,” he said.

Speaking in Dublin Castle yesterday, Mr Kenny said: “Everybody in this campaign made the point quite clearly that Irish people are pro-European. From my respective, we have to look forward and move forward for the future now taking into account this decision.”