Government makes us look like fools in Europe

CONTRARY to what Taoiseach Brian Cowen thinks, it wasn’t the amount of money spent by Declan Ganley or Libertas that led to a resounding no vote in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Declan Ganley, Mary Lou McDonald and Kathy Sinnott were some of the champions of a very effective no campaign.

Each had a clear understanding of the treaty and the consequences for Ireland and Europe if it comes into force.

They were helped in no small way by the hundreds of people who campaigned in their own way for a no vote by discussing the issues with their friends and families. These people filled the letters pages of the newspapers and the airwaves for months.

Meanwhile the main political parties didn’t do the groundwork, trotted out the same unconvincing lines and paid the consequences.As our representatives, the Government should have proclaimed the treaty was dead.

However, the Taoiseach and his Government have made the Irish electorate look like fools in Europe.

Ireland could have led the way in taking Europe where the people of Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and probably most other nations, want it to go. Instead they have squandered an opportunity truly to put Ireland at the heart of Europe as a nation that respects the wishes of its people and can punch above its weight.

Hendrick Verwey

Old Church

Cobh

Co Cork