Lisbon rejected over conscription fears, says Martin
A detailed survey and analysis of the public’s understanding of the EU, of the treaty and why they rejected the plan to reform the EU’s institutions will be made public within the next fortnight, Mr Martin said.
He said the government was examining all options on what to do next, such as a second referendum or partial Oireachtas approval of the treaty.
In the south-eastern French city of Avignon for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Mr Martin said the research showed there was a range of issues why people voted by 53.4% to 46.6% against the treaty.
“Conscription is significantly more so than one might have thought. A significant number were of a view that Lisbon would have meant conscription,” he said.
The claim that Ireland would lose its commissioner also emerged as a reason but not as important as fears over conscription, he said.
But at the same time the research showed that people were positive about the EU and wanted Ireland to remain at the heart of Europe, the minister said.
The treaty did not provide for setting up a EU army or for conscription, but Mr Martin refused to be critical of people who voted against the treaty on this basis.
“The whole communication of Europe is central to this. We need to understand why people voted on this rather than cast judgment and then reconcile this with people’s strong desire to stay at the heart of Europe,” he said.
He also ruled out any renegotiation of the treaty saying that after seven years of negotiations that Ireland was at the centre of, colleagues did not want to renegotiate.
Mr Martin admitted the Government would be under pressure from fellow EU members to state what they intend to do in December but said they might not be in a position to do so.
Environment Minister John Gormley is considering closing the loophole that allows groups like Libertas who are not political parties to withhold funding information, Mr Martin said.
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