Irish MEPs welcome Forum establishment

Irish MEPs have welcomed the establishment by the Government of a Forum for Europe in the wake of last week's No vote in the referendum on the Nice Treaty.

Pat Cox, leader of the European Liberal Party, told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the No vote was not a no to enlargement.

Munster MEP Gerry Collins echoed this view, adding that the vote shows Europe needs to explain its policies better.

Leinster's Avril Doyle said the Forum should result in a better-informed electorate and allow the Government to ratify the treaty before next year's deadline.

However, Green MEP Nuala Ahern warned of the implications of a second No vote if Europe does not listen to what the Irish electorate had to say.