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Disengagement or delusion?

25/06/2008 By Tony Kinsella

Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images

Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty 53 percent to 47 percent on June 12. This result, from a country which has probably benefited more from the EU than any other, stunned many. The vote has direct consequences for Ireland and the EU, and poses wider questions.

In this comment article Irish Times journalist Tony Kinsella explores the political blunders which made it possible for the “No” camp to secure victory, despite all five of the main political parties throwing their support behind the treaty.

He also argues that, if Ireland wishes to continue benefiting from the EU, her voters will have to be invited to vote on Lisbon again, and that this time around the country’s leaders will have to do a better job of explaining what is at stake.

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Keywords

Enlargement EU European Union Ireland

Bio author: Tony Kinsella

Journalist , The Irish Times