Irish people endorse the new Europe

IRELAND’S resounding endorsement of the Nice Treaty sends out a loud and clear message that the Irish people see themselves at the heart rather than the fringes of Europe.

Albeit at the second time of asking, the nation has voted overwhelmingly in favour of Europe’s enlargement, giving the green light to 70 million people from ten candidate countries, ranging from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, to join the EU.

The outcome, greeted with a palpable sense of relief by governments across Europe, effectively refutes claims that the Irish people are isolationist or motivated by selfish considerations. They have shown a capacity to be magnanimous in making a decision that will profoundly influence the fortunes of other nations.