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.

They have also displayed a deep sense of maturity by drawing a fine distinction between the Nice question and such thorny domestic difficulties as the Coalition’s blatant hoodwinking of the electorate before the general election and what is now seen as gross mishandling of the economy.

By any assessment, the weekend saw a dramatic turnaround in voter attitudes to Nice compared with the first referendum when the proposition was roundly defeated as tens of thousands of Yes voters abstained in a backlash against the arrogance and laziness of a government which neither campaigned nor explained the issues.

On this occasion, following a more vigorous, better informed and more costly campaign, plus a blend of ideal weather and Saturday voting (an initiative that ought to be re-tested) the result was 63% Yes as against a No vote of 37%.

Thanks to electronic voting in seven constituencies, the outcome was known within hours. Even in Kerry North, a bastion of resistance to Nice, the Yes vote carried the day. Nationally, not one constituency rejected Nice whereas only two had previously supported it.

The Government would be wrong to see the outcome as a triumph. They would be better advised to take on board the lessons of Nice, especially the danger of taking people for granted. Arguably, if the Coalition had not made such a mess of the first campaign, there would have been no need for a second referendum.

Now that Nice has been resolved, voters may well vent their anger on the Coalition when local and European elections are held in 2004. That could be a time of reckoning for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy.

As the only member state to stage a referendum on Nice, the outcome has evidenced Ireland’s understanding of the significance of Nice for millions of people who see Europe as a chance to create a better life for themselves and their children.

It also reflects a hard-headed approach to membership of a community which will continue to have a major influence on virtually every aspect of Irish life, from human rights to jobs, farming, fishing, and the broad sweep of the economy.

While the result has been loudly applauded at home and abroad, the turnout of just over 50% reflects widespread apathy towards politics. The challenge facing politicians is to involve people in the system. In EU terms, that should mean greater transparency and accountability concerning such controversial issues as the inexorable drift towards a common European constitution.

Doubtless, the EU has been good for Ireland. This comprehensive referendum verdict means Ireland has also been good for Europe.