A surprising discovery
According to one insider, this was their reaction after the first referendum on this issue:
"Over the past two days I attended a meeting of the interim European Security and Defence Assembly. I was amazed and gratified in equal measure at the Irish referendum... there was no finger wagging or suggestion that the people had got it wrong or were confused; rather there was a degree of admiration for the decisions the Irish had made.
"Speakers from a number of countries, both within and outside the union, indicated that the Irish people, in their 'no' vote reflected a common view and concern that now exists within the EU and in those states most proximate to the EU.
"Members from the EU states who contributed directly in the debate, or who spoke privately to the Irish delegation members, indicated that it was their view I made an effort to do a straw poll that referenda on the Nice Treaty as it currently stands, if held in other member states, would meet with the same public response as in Ireland."
The speaker was Dick Roche, Fianna Fail spokesman for a 'yes' vote in the forthcoming referendum.
Seosamh Ó Cuaig,
Aill Na Brun,
Cill Chiaran,
Conamara
