Rejecting Lisbon will lose us credibility, warns expert

ONE of the most powerful Irish people working in Europe has said we are in danger of losing our credibility at the negotiating table if we vote no to the Lisbon treaty for a second time.

David O’Sullivan, director general for trade at the European Commission, said we had earned the respect of other countries during years of robust but reasoned deal-making.

All this was at risk if we shunned our responsibility in the collective, he said. “Let’s be under no illusion. Our ability to play this role depends crucially not only on our membership of the EU but also on our credibility and influence as members. Half-hearted members of any club rarely sets the rules or the tone.”