McCreevy: Ireland must not be bullied

European Union Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said the Lisbon Treaty cannot come into force following its rejection by Irish voters but said “new arrangements” might be drawn up by European leaders.

Commissioner McCreevy insisted Ireland will not be bullied by Europe and the government “should not apologise for the democratic process we went through.”

As EU leaders pondered how to proceed with the fall-out from Ireland’s no vote last Thursday, Mr McCreevy told RTÉ: “We’re in unchartered territory, as such, the Irish haven’t ratified so the Lisbon treaty as it was intended cannot now go ahead.”