Lisbon II has no mandate and no moral authority

HOLDING a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty so soon after the original one is a complete insult to the Irish people and an undermining of the democratic process itself.

If a reasonable period of time had passed — say five or 10 years — and the need was indeed urgent, then there might be some justification for revisiting the Lisbon Treaty.

But to hold a referendum on exactly the same treaty the following year is in effect a refusal to accept and respect the outcome of the referendum.