Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Difference between revisions
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}}</ref> Rank and file members of the individual unions were not balloted and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) advised its 45,000 members to vote No. The Irish bishops conference stated the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church's]] declaration that the treaty would not weaken Ireland's [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|constitutional ban]] on abortion, however the conference did not advocate either a Yes or No vote. By the start of June, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party had united in their push for a Yes vote despite earlier divisions.<ref> |
}}</ref> Rank and file members of the individual unions were not balloted and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) advised its 45,000 members to vote No. The Irish bishops conference stated the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church's]] declaration that the treaty would not weaken Ireland's [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|constitutional ban]] on abortion, however the conference did not advocate either a Yes or No vote. By the start of June, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party had united in their push for a Yes vote despite earlier divisions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0530/1212095649976.html |title=FF and main Opposition parties unite to push for Yes vote |work=[[The Irish Times]] |date=30 May 2008 |accessdate=30 May 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20101122183856/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0530/1212095649976.html |archivedate=22 November 2010 }}</ref> The two largest farming organisations, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0530/1212095649976.html |
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|title=FF and main Opposition parties unite to push for Yes vote |
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|work=[[The Irish Times]] |
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|date=30 May 2008 |
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|accessdate=30 May 2008 |
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|deadurl=yes |
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}} {{Dead link|date=April 2014|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> The two largest farming organisations, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)<ref> |
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{{cite news |
{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0601/eulisbon.html |
|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0601/eulisbon.html |
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|date=18 June 2008 |
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}}</ref> Few expressed specifically anti-EU statements, but pro-EU sentiments were interpreted<ref> |
}}</ref> Few expressed specifically anti-EU statements, but pro-EU sentiments were interpreted<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php |title=Irish voters and the EU |work=[[International Herald Tribune]] |date=16 June 2008 |accessdate=19 June 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20080618015630/http://www.iht.com:80/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php |archivedate=18 June 2008 }}</ref> or expressed<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php |
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|title=Irish voters and the EU |
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|work=[[International Herald Tribune]] |
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|date=16 June 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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}} See also: |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080616.COLETTERS16-5/TPStory/Comment |
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|title=When Irish ayes are lacking |
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|work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |
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|date=19 January 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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|location=Toronto |
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|deadurl=yes |
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}} {{Dead link|date=April 2014|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> or expressed<ref> |
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{{cite news |
{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837224.html |
|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837224.html |
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}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
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Euroarmy conscription,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html |title=Second referendum cannot be held, says O'Rourke |work=[[The Irish Times]] |date=18 June 2008 |accessdate=19 June 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20110210075916/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html |archivedate=10 February 2011 }}</ref> |
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Euroarmy conscription,<ref> |
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gay marriage,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html |title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No |work=[[The Irish Times]] |date=18 June 2008 |accessdate=19 June 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20101029083542/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html |archivedate=29 October 2010 }} and |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html |
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|title=Second referendum cannot be held, says O'Rourke |
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|work=[[The Irish Times]] |
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|date=18 June 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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}} and |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=NEWS+FEATURES-qqqs=news-qqqid=33714-qqqx=1.asp |
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|title=Yes side only have themselves to blame |
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|work=[[The Sunday Business Post]] |
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|date=15 June 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
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gay marriage,<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html |
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|title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No |
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|work=[[The Irish Times]] |
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|date=18 June 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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}} See also: |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0614/1213369844754.html |
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|title=Result is a reflection of popular belief that things can only get worse |
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|work=[[The Irish Times]] |
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|date=14 June 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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}} and |
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{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=NEWS+FEATURES-qqqs=news-qqqid=33714-qqqx=1.asp |
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|title=Yes side only have themselves to blame |
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|work=[[The Sunday Business Post]] |
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|date=15 June 2008 |
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|accessdate=19 June 2008 |
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}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and |
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{{cite news |
{{cite news |
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|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf |
|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf |
Revision as of 13:19, 23 February 2016
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Lisbon-result-IRL-2008.jpg/300px-Lisbon-result-IRL-2008.jpg)
The Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 was a failed proposal to amend the Constitution of Ireland that was put to a referendum in 2008 (the first Lisbon referendum). The purpose of the proposed amendment was to enable the state to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon of the European Union.
The amendment was rejected by voters on 12 June 2008[1] by a margin of 53.4% to 46.6%, with a turnout of 53.1%.[2] The treaty had been intended to enter into force on 1 January 2009, but had to be delayed following the Irish rejection. However the Lisbon treaty was eventually approved by Irish voters when the successful Twenty-eighth Amendment of the constitution was approved in the second Lisbon referendum, held in October 2009.
Background
A 1987 decision of the Supreme Court established that ratification by Ireland of any significant amendment to the Treaties of the European Union requires an amendment to the Constitution of Ireland.[3] All Constitutional amendments require approval by referendum.
A referendum on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe of the European Union was expected to be held in 2005 or 2006 but was cancelled following the rejection of the Constitution by voters in France in May 2005 and in the Netherlands in June 2005. The Treaty of Lisbon represents the European-wide political compromise that was agreed upon in the wake of the rejection of the Constitution. It preserves most of the content of the Constitution, especially the new rules on the functioning of the European Institutions, but gives up any symbolic or terminologic reference to a Constitution. (See Treaty of Lisbon compared to the European Constitution.)
Ireland is the only EU member state that has held a public referendum on the Treaty. Ratification of the Treaty in all other member states is decided upon by the states' national parliaments. The referendum is part of the larger EU ratification of the Treaty, which requires that all EU members, and the European Parliament must ratify it. A "No" vote in the referendum could block the treaty in the EU altogether. However, the Treaty of Nice was ratified by Ireland in 2002 in a second referendum after the first vote rejected it by a narrow margin in 2001.
Passage of the bill
The treaty was signed on 13 December 2007 in Lisbon. On 26 February 2008, the Government of Ireland approved the text of the changes to the constitution.[4] The Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2008 was published on 6 March.[5] The bill allows for the ratification of the treaty and also retains the prohibition on Irish participation in an EU common defence agreement. It also allows for Ireland (like the United Kingdom) to opt out from the change from unanimous decisions to qualified majority voting in the sector of police and judicial affairs; this decision will be reviewed three years after the treaty enters into force (if referendum allows). Both states will be able to opt in on these voting issues on a case-by-case basis.
In Dáil Éireann, the bill passed the First Stage on 2 April 2008, the Second Stage on 23 April 2008, and the Committee Stage and Report and Final Stages on 29 April 2008;[5] the text of the referendum was also approved on 29 April.[6]
The bill was then sent to Seanad Éireann, where it passed the Second Stage and Committee Stage on 1 May 2008, and the Report and Final Stages on 9 May 2008.[5]
Proposed changes to the text
- Deletion of entirety of Article 29.4.9:
- The State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 1.2 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 7° of this section where that common defence would include the State.
- Deletion of entirety of Article 29.4.11:
- The State may ratify the Agreement relating to Community Patents drawn up between the Member States of the Communities and done at Luxembourg on the 15th day of December, 1989.
- (Existing subsection 10 of Article 29.4 retained but renumbered as subsection 9)
- Insertion of new Article 29.4.10:
- The State may ratify the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon on the 13th day of December 2007, and may be a member of the European Union established by virtue of that Treaty.
- Insertion of new Article 29.4.11:
- No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State that are necessitated by the obligations of membership of the European Union referred to in subsection 10 of this section, or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the said European Union or by institutions thereof, or by bodies competent under the treaties referred to in this section, from having the force of law in the State.
- Insertion of new Article 29.4.12:
- The State may exercise the options or discretions provided by or under Articles 1.22, 2.64, 2.65, 2.66, 2.67, 2.68 and 2.278 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 10 of this section and Articles 1.18 and 1.20 of Protocol No. 1 annexed to that Treaty, but any such exercise shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
- Insertion of new Article 29.4.13:
- The State may exercise the option to secure that the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (formerly known as the Treaty establishing the European Community) shall, in whole or in part, cease to apply to the State, but any such exercise shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
- Insertion of new Article 29.4.14:
- The State may agree to the decisions, regulations or other acts under —
- i. Article 1.34(b)(iv),
- ii. Article 1.56 (in so far as it relates to Article 48.7 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 4 of this section),
- iii. Article 2.66 (in so far as it relates to the second subparagraph of Article 65.3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union),
- iv. Article 2.67 (in so far as it relates to subparagraph (d) of Article 69A.2, the third subparagraph of Article 69B.1 and paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 69E of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union),
- v. Article 2.144(a),
- vi. Article 2.261 (in so far as it relates to the second subparagraph of Article 270a.2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), and
- vii. Article 2.278 (in so far as it relates to Article 280H of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), of the Treaty referred to in subsection 10 of this section, and may also agree to the decision under the second sentence of the second subparagraph of Article 137.2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (as amended by Article 2.116(a) of the Treaty referred to in the said subsection 10), but the agreement to any such decision, regulation or act shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
- The State may agree to the decisions, regulations or other acts under —
- Insertion of new Article 29.4.15:
- The State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to —
- i. Article 1.2 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 7 of this section, or
- ii. Article 1.49 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 10 of this section, where that common defence would include the State.
- The State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to —
Referendum campaign
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/39/Lisbon_Treaty_first_Irish_%282008%29_referendum_posters.jpg/220px-Lisbon_Treaty_first_Irish_%282008%29_referendum_posters.jpg)
Participants
See also: Irish Times articles on the "No" and "Yes" factions, and the Referendum Commission
Organisation | Notable personnel | Stance |
---|---|---|
Cóir | Richard Greene, Niamh Uí Bhríain | No |
Independent Workers Union of Ireland | Patricia Campbell | No |
Irish Alliance for Europe | Ruairi Quinn | Yes |
Irish Congress of Trade Unions | David Begg | Yes |
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association | Jackie Cahill | Yes |
Irish Farmers' Association | Padraig Walshe | Yes |
Fianna Fáil | Brian Cowen | Yes |
Fine Gael | Enda Kenny | Yes |
Green Party | John Gormley, Patricia McKenna | Mixed |
Labour Party | Eamon Gilmore | Yes |
Libertas | Declan Ganley | No |
National Platform | Anthony Coughlan | No |
Peace and Neutrality Alliance | Roger Cole | No |
People's Movement | Patricia McKenna | No |
Progressive Democrats | Ciarán Cannon | Yes |
Referendum Commission | Iarfhlaith O'Neill | Neutral |
SIPTU | Jack O'Connor | Neutral |
Sinn Féin | Gerry Adams, Mary Lou McDonald | No |
Socialist Party | Joe Higgins | No |
People Before Profit Alliance | Richard Boyd Barrett | No |
Socialist Workers Party | ? | No |
Technical Electrical and Engineering Union | Eamon Devoy | No |
Workers' Party | Mick Finnegan | No |
Events
The government parties of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats were in favour of the treaty, but the other government party, the Green Party, was divided on the issue. At a special convention on 19 January 2008, the leadership of the Green Party failed to secure a two-thirds majority required to make support for the referendum official party policy. The result of the vote was 63% in favour. As a result, the Green Party itself did not participate in the referendum debate, although individual members were free to be involved in whatever side they chose; all Green Party members of the Oireachtas supported the Treaty.[7][8] The main opposition parties of Fine Gael[9] and the Labour Party were also in favour. Only one party represented in the Oireachtas, Sinn Féin, was opposed to the treaty, while minor parties opposed to it included the Socialist Party, the Workers' Party and the Socialist Workers Party. Independent TD's Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath, Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott, and Independent members of the Seanad from the universities David Norris, Shane Ross and Rónán Mullen advocated a No vote as well.
The then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern warned against making Ireland a 'battlefield' for eurosceptics across Europe. The invitation by UCD's Law Society to French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen was seen as an example of this.[10] Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party, committed his party to supporting the No campaign saying: “UKIP members will be encouraged to go to Ireland to help.”[11]
The Government sent bilingual booklets written in English and Irish, explaining the Treaty, to all 2.5 million Irish households. However compendiums of the two previous treaties, of which the Lisbon Treaty is intended to be a series of reforms and amendments, remain unavailable in Ireland.[12] Some commentators have argued that the treaty remains essentially incomprehensible in the absence of such a compendium.[12]
On 12 March 2008, Libertas, a lobby group started by businessman Declan Ganley launched a campaign called Facts, not politics which advocated a No vote in the referendum.[13] A month later, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel appealed to Irish people to vote Yes in the referendum whilst on a visit to Ireland. The anti-Lisbon Treaty campaign group accused the government and Fine Gael of a U-turn on their previous policy of discouraging foreign leaders from visiting Ireland during the referendum campaign.[14] The European Commissioner for the Internal Market Charlie McCreevy admitted he had not read the Treaty from cover to cover, and said "he would not expect any sane person to do so".[15]
At the start of May, the Irish Alliance for Europe launched its campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum this consisted of trade unionists, business people, academics and politicians. Its members include Garret FitzGerald, Ruairi Quinn, Pat Cox and Michael O'Kennedy.[16] The Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated that should any member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party campaign against the treaty, they would likely be expelled from the party.[17]
On 21 May 2008, the executive council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions voted to support a Yes vote in the referendum.[18] Rank and file members of the individual unions were not balloted and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) advised its 45,000 members to vote No. The Irish bishops conference stated the Catholic Church's declaration that the treaty would not weaken Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion, however the conference did not advocate either a Yes or No vote. By the start of June, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party had united in their push for a Yes vote despite earlier divisions.[19] The two largest farming organisations, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)[20] and the Irish Farmers' Association[21] called for a Yes vote, the latter giving its support after assurances from the Taoiseach Brian Cowen that Ireland would use its veto in Europe if a deal on World Trade reform was unacceptable.
Opinion polls
Date of opinion poll | Conductor | Sample size | In favour | Against | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 June 2008[22] | Red C | ? | 42% | 39% | 19% |
5 June 2008[23] | TNS/mrbi | 1000 | 30% | 35% | 35% |
24 May 2008[24] | Red C | ? | 41% | 33% | 26% |
16 May 2008[25] | TNS/mrbi | 1000 | 35% | 18% | 47% |
10 May 2008[26] | Red C | 1000 | 38% | 28% | 34% |
26 April 2008[27] | Red C | ? | 35% | 31% | 34% |
14 April 2008[28] | Red C | ? | 28% | 12% | 60% |
1 March 2008[29] | Red C | ? | 46% | 23% | 31% |
27 January 2008[30] | Red C | 1002 | 45% | 25% | 31% |
26 January 2008[31] | tns/MRBI | ? | 26% | 10% | 66% |
October 2007[31] | tns/MRBI | ? | 25% | 13% | 62% |
Voting
There were 3,051,278 voters on the electoral register.[32] The vast majority of voting took place on Thursday, 12 June between 07:00 and 22:00. Counting began the following morning at 09:00. Several groups voted before the standard polling day:
Some groups were able to cast postal votes before 9 June, namely: members of the Irish Defence Forces serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions; Irish diplomats and their spouses abroad; members of the Garda Síochána; those unable to vote in person due to physical illness or disability; those who would be unable to vote in person due to their employment (including students); and prisoners.[33]
On 9 June, several islands off the coast of County Donegal voted: Tory Island, Inisfree, Gola, Inishbofin and Arranmore Island; these islands are all part of the Donegal South–West constituency. Around 37% of the 745 eligible voted.[34] Two days later, several islands off the coast of Counties Galway and Mayo voted: the Aran Islands (Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr) and Inishboffin form part of Galway West constituency; while Inishturk, Inishbiggle and Clare Island form part of the Mayo constituency. The Galway islands had 1,169 eligible to vote, while the Mayo islands had 197.[35]
Result
Votes were counted separately in each Dáil Éireann constituency. The overall verdict was formally announced by the Referendum Returning Officer in Dublin Castle by accumulating the constituency totals.[2]
National
Choice | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
![]() |
862,415 | 53.40 |
Yes | 752,451 | 46.60 |
Valid votes | 1,614,866 | 99.62 |
Invalid or blank votes | 6,171 | 0.38 |
Total votes | 1,621,037 | 100.00 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,051,278 | 53.13 |
By constituency
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Results_of_the_June_2008_referendum_on_the_Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland.png/250px-Results_of_the_June_2008_referendum_on_the_Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Results_of_the_June_2008_referendum_on_the_Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland_-_choropleth.png/250px-Results_of_the_June_2008_referendum_on_the_Twenty-eighth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland_-_choropleth.png)
All figures rounded to nearest digit.
Constituency | Electorate | Spoilt votes | Total poll (%) | For (%) | Against (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carlow–Kilkenny | 103,397 | 228 | 52,644 (51) | 26,210 (50) | 26,206 (50) |
Cavan–Monaghan | 92,920 | 190 | 49,649 (53) | 22,346 (45) | 27,113 (55) |
Clare | 77,398 | 145 | 40,617 (52) | 20,982 (52) | 19,490 (48) |
Cork East | 83,850 | 169 | 42,398 (51) | 18,177 (43) | 24,052 (57) |
Cork North–Central | 65,738 | 134 | 35,120 (53) | 12,440 (36) | 22,546 (64) |
Cork North–West | 63,574 | 114 | 35,358 (56) | 16,253 (46) | 18,991 (54) |
Cork South–Central | 89,844 | 177 | 49,455 (55) | 22,112 (45) | 27,166 (55) |
Cork South–West | 58,225 | 143 | 32,184 (55) | 14,235 (44) | 17,806 (56) |
Donegal North–East | 56,195 | 144 | 25,654 (46) | 9,006 (35) | 16,504 (65) |
Donegal South–West | 60,079 | 113 | 27,946 (47) | 10,174 (37) | 17,659 (63) |
Dublin Central | 57,864 | 121 | 28,265 (49) | 12,328 (44) | 15,816 (56) |
Dublin Mid–West | 61,622 | 74 | 31,833 (52) | 12,577 (40) | 19,182 (60) |
Dublin North | 81,550 | 187 | 45,077 (55) | 22,696 (51) | 22,194 (49) |
Dublin North–Central | 51,156 | 77 | 31,245 (61) | 15,772 (51) | 15,396 (49) |
Dublin North–East | 52,432 | 101 | 29,991 (57) | 12,917 (43) | 16,973 (57) |
Dublin North–West | 49,893 | 69 | 26,394 (53) | 9,576 (36) | 16,749 (64) |
Dublin South | 87,855 | 147 | 51,342 (58) | 32,190 (63) | 19,005 (37) |
Dublin South–Central | 67,499 | 136 | 42,170 (52) | 16,410 (39) | 25,624 (61) |
Dublin South–East | 81,743 | 116 | 27,871 (50) | 17,111 (62) | 10,644 (38) |
Dublin South–West | 56,202 | 124 | 36,181 (54) | 12,601 (35) | 23,456 (65) |
Dublin West | 52,173 | 94 | 28,421 (55) | 13,573 (48) | 14,754 (52) |
Dún Laoghaire | 84,710 | 137 | 49,810 (59) | 31,524 (64) | 18,149 (37) |
Galway East | 80,569 | 166 | 40,124 (50) | 18,728 (47) | 21,230 (53) |
Galway West | 85,642 | 190 | 42,844 (50) | 19,643 (46) | 23,011 (54) |
Kerry North | 54,787 | 112 | 28,120 (51) | 11,306 (41) | 16,702 (59) |
Kerry South | 51,338 | 117 | 27,257 (54) | 11,569 (43) | 15,571 (57) |
Kildare North | 71,429 | 117 | 36,815 (52) | 20,045 (55) | 16,653 (45) |
Kildare South | 57,145 | 80 | 27,858 (49) | 13,470 (49) | 14,308 (51) |
Laois–Offaly | 105,053 | 243 | 56,992 (54) | 31,786 (56) | 24,963 (44) |
Limerick East | 76,735 | 168 | 39,444 (51) | 18,085 (46) | 21,191 (54) |
Limerick West | 57,847 | 129 | 29,958 (52) | 13,318 (45) | 16,511 (55) |
Longford–Westmeath | 81,834 | 192 | 42,065 (51) | 19,371 (46) | 22,502 (54) |
Louth | 83,458 | 168 | 44,565 (53) | 18,586 (42) | 25,811 (58) |
Mayo | 95,250 | 197 | 48,822 (51) | 18,624 (38) | 30,001 (62) |
Meath East | 67,415 | 105 | 34,148 (51) | 17,340 (51) | 16,703 (49) |
Meath West | 62,816 | 119 | 32,589 (52) | 14,442 (45) | 18,028 (55) |
Roscommon–South Leitrim | 59,728 | 131 | 33,962 (57) | 15,429 (47) | 18,402 (54) |
Sligo–North Leitrim | 55,591 | 130 | 29,228 (53) | 12,602 (44) | 16,496 (56) |
Tipperary North | 55,941 | 148 | 32,750 (59) | 16,235 (50) | 16,367 (50) |
Tipperary South | 53,687 | 148 | 29,756 (56) | 13,853 (47) | 15,755 (53) |
Waterford | 72,052 | 160 | 38,474 (54) | 17,502 (46) | 20,812 (54) |
Wexford | 101,124 | 205 | 53,369 (53) | 23,371 (44) | 29,793 (56) |
Wicklow | 85,918 | 206 | 52,272 (61) | 25,936 (50) | 26,130 (50) |
Reasons for rejection
Ireland has begun to cast a sceptical[37] eye on the EU and general concerns about how Europe is developing were raised.[38] As of Spring 2007, the Irish citizenry have the second least European identity in the EU, with 59% identifying as exclusively Irish as opposed to wholly/partly European.[39] The integrationist aspects of the Lisbon treaty were therefore also of concern.[40] Few expressed specifically anti-EU statements, but pro-EU sentiments were interpreted[41] or expressed[42] in favour of an idealised/desired EU and expressed concern about its present form or the future direction of the EU post-Lisbon. To keep Ireland's power and identity,[43] voters chose to vote "no".
Another factor in Lisbon's failure was Lisbon itself. An impenetrable legal document, it could not be understood without close study,[44] and even the Referendum Commission – the nonpartisan body set up to explain it – could not explain it all.[45] [46] The treaty's lack of clarity meant that interpretations could not be confidently stated to be true or false. Consequently, issues such as abortion,[47] [46] [48] tax,[49] euthanasia,[50] the veto,[51] [46] EU directives,[52] qualified majority voting,[53] Ireland's commissioner,[54] detention of three-year-olds,[46] the death penalty,[55] Euroarmy conscription,[56] gay marriage,[57] immigration,[46][58] nuclear energy,[59] workers' rights,[59] sovereignty,[60] and neutrality[61] were raised, some of which were spurious[62] [46] or actually dealt with by the Treaty of Nice.[63] The "No" faction could fight on whichever terrain they wished[64] and could give positive reasons for rejecting the treaty, such as the possibility of renegotiation.[65] Conversely, the "Yes" faction could only offer negatives[66] and could only react to the statements of the other side.[46] [67] Lacking a clear identification of specifics, voters chose to vote "No".[39]
In September 2008 rumours in Brussels indicated that US billionaires and neocons heavily influenced the Irish vote by sponsoring the "No" campaigns, particularly those of Declan Ganley's Libertas lobby group.[68] It is said that US interest groups this way pursued their goal of hindering the European Union to become a stronger partner internationally. However, the British conservative MEP Jonathan Evans reported to EUobserver on 9 December 2008 after returning from a European Parliament delegation to the US, "[o]ur congressional colleagues drew our attention to a statement from US deputy secretary of state John Negroponte at Trinity College Dublin on 17 November, completely refuting the suggestion of any US dimension whatsoever". The European Parliament is considering launching "an inquiry to discover whether US agencies actively supported Libertas in the 12 June referendum."[69][70]
A poll was published by the Irish Times on 18 June 2008. The question was "Why did you vote no?" and the results[71] are given below.
Reason for rejecting the Lisbon Treaty | Percentage |
---|---|
Don't understand /not familiar | 40% |
Protect Irish identity | 20% |
Don't trust politicians/Govt policies | 17% |
Protect neutrality | 10% |
Keep commissioner | 10% |
Protect tax system | 8% |
A Flash Eurobarometer poll of 2,000 random respondents was conducted between 13 to 15 June on behalf of the European Commission by Gallup. Those respondents who voted "no" in the referendum were asked "Please tell me what are the reasons why you voted "no" to the treaty?" and the results[72] are given below.
Reason for rejecting the Lisbon Treaty | Percentage |
---|---|
Because I do not know enough about the Treaty and would not want to vote for something I am not familiar with | 22% |
To protect Irish identity | 12% |
To safeguard Irish neutrality in security and defence matters | 6% |
I do not trust our politicians | 6% |
We will lose our right to have an Irish Commissioner in every Commission | 6% |
To protect our tax system | 6% |
I am against the idea of a unified Europe | 5% |
To protest against the government's policies | 4% |
To avoid that the EU speaks with one voice on global issues | 4% |
Because large Member States decide on EU matters | 4% |
To protect the influence of small states | 3% |
It would allow the introduction of European legislation in Ireland, such as gay marriage, abortion, euthanasia | 2% |
To avoid an influx of immigrants | 1% |
The EU does not need any fixing, it works fine | 1% |
Other | 14% |
Don't know/not applicable | 3% |
French Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet blamed "American neoconservatives" for the Irish voter's rejection of the treaty.[73]
Second referendum
In the meeting of the European Council (the meeting of the heads of government of all twenty-seven European Union member states) in Brussels on 11–12 December 2008, Taoiseach Brian Cowen presented the concerns of the Irish people relating to taxation policy, family, social and ethical issues, and Ireland's policy of neutrality.[74] Effectively Ireland's position was renegotiated, and the revised package was approved by the electorate in 2009. Because of the Irish financial crisis it was also apparent that Ireland would need increased financial support from the European Union.
The European Council agreed that:
- the necessary legal guarantees would be given that nothing in the Treaty of Lisbon made any change of any kind to the Union's competences on taxation for any member state;[74]
- the necessary legal guarantees would be given that the Treaty of Lisbon did not prejudice the security and defence policy of any member state, including Ireland's traditional policy of neutrality;[74]
- the necessary legal guarantees would be given that neither the Treaty of Lisbon (including the Justice and Home Affairs provisions), nor the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, affected the provisions of the Irish Constitution in relation to the right to life, education and the family in any way;[74]
- in accordance with the necessary legal procedures, a Decision would be taken to retain Ireland's Commissioner, provided that the Treaty of Lisbon was ratified;[74]
- the high importance attached to issues including workers' rights would be confirmed.[74]
The Irish Government then committed to seeking ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by the end of the term of the current European Commission[74] (October 2009), provided that the above were implemented satisfactorily.[74]
The European Council did not specify what forms the legal guarantees would take.[74] The Sunday Business Post stated that what the European Council had offered were Decisions and/or Declarations, not protocols.[75] Decisions and/or Declarations of the European Council are agreements made between all twenty-seven member states of the European Union and are not part of a treaty, whereas protocols are agreements between states as part of a treaty.[75][76] Previous examples of Decisions and/or Declarations following a referendum rejection include the 1992 Edinburgh Agreement (following the first Danish referendum on the Maastricht Treaty) and the 2002 Seville Declaration[77] (following the first Irish referendum on the Treaty of Nice). French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking to the European Parliament in his capacity as President of the European Council[78] during the six-month presidency of that body by France, stated that the legal guarantees would be added as a protocol[78] later to the treaty, enabling Croatia to join the European Union legally.
The guarantee that Ireland would keep its Commissioner provided Lisbon was ratified was criticised in the Irish Times[76] on the grounds that it may lead to an oversized European Commission.
The Treaty of Lisbon was ratified by the Twenty-eighth Amendment in October 2009.
See also
References
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{{cite news}}
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- ^ "Referendum Results" (PDF). Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
- ^ "Irish voters and the EU". International Herald Tribune. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Result reveals audience for euroscepticism". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
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- ^ a b "Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Second referendum cannot be held, says O'Rourke". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Cowen 'must seek halt to ratification'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Irish voters and the EU". International Herald Tribune. 16 June 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
{{cite news}}
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- ^ "Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
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"Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also:
"Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and
"Only 5% understand Lisbon Treaty, survey". RTÉ News. 28 April 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and
O'Neill, Sean; Hamilton, Fiona (8 June 2008). "Be positive, vote no". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
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- ^ a b c d e f g "Ten reasons why Ireland said No to Lisbon". Sunday Tribune. 15 June 2008. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "No Lisbon renegotiation, says Mansergh". RTÉ News. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Referendum body sheds light on Lisbon". RTÉ News. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Yes side only have themselves to blame". The Sunday Business Post. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. [dead link] and Sharrock, David; Charter, David (19 June 2008). "Pressure on Czechs and Poles not to say 'no' to EU treaty too". The Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?" (PDF). Centre for European Reform. June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and Smith, Nicola; Oliver, Jonathan (15 June 2008). "Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Yes campaign criticised over tax position". RTÉ News. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams". RTÉ News. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Anti-Lisbon treaty campaign is launched". RTÉ News. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and Sharrock, David; Charter, David (19 June 2008). "Pressure on Czechs and Poles not to say 'no' to EU treaty too". The Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?" (PDF). Centre for European Reform. June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Cowen 'must seek halt to ratification'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "A good start would have been half the work for Yes campaign". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Germany is 14th state to ratify Lisbon Treaty". RTÉ News. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Referendum body sheds light on Lisbon". RTÉ News. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams". RTÉ News. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Ministers to meet ahead of vital EU summit". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ Smith, Nicola; Oliver, Jonathan (15 June 2008). "Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Cowen 'must seek halt to ratification'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: Smith, Nicola; Oliver, Jonathan (15 June 2008). "Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "EU reform thrown into turmoil as Irish reject treaty". Centre for European Reform. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Why politicians hate referendums". BBC News. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Second referendum cannot be held, says O'Rourke". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
{{cite news}}
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{{cite news}}
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suggested) (help) and "Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?" (PDF). Centre for European Reform. June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "EU reform thrown into turmoil as Irish reject treaty". Centre for European Reform. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. - ^ "Yes side only have themselves to blame". The Sunday Business Post. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. [dead link] and "Ireland divided over Lisbon Treaty". Polskie Radio. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and Sheahan, Fionnan (17 June 2008). "Revealed: why we voted 'No' to Lisbon". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ a b "Ireland Deserves Better" (PDF). Sinn Féin. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?" (PDF). Centre for European Reform. June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and Smith, Nicola; Oliver, Jonathan (15 June 2008). "Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Cowen fights back over Govt Lisbon 'failure'". RTÉ News. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams". RTÉ News. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and Sharrock, David; Charter, David (19 June 2008). "Pressure on Czechs and Poles not to say 'no' to EU treaty too". The Times. London. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?" (PDF). Centre for European Reform. June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Irish voters and the EU". International Herald Tribune. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "The Lisbon Treaty: Yes or No?". CatholicIreland.net. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
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O'Neill, Sean; Hamilton, Fiona (8 June 2008). "Be positive, vote no". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
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at position 3 (help) - ^ Obrien, Stephen; Oakley, Richard (8 June 2008). "Polls show scant support for Lisbon treaty". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
- ^ "Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. See also: "No Lisbon renegotiation, says Mansergh". RTÉ News. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and "Cowen fights back over Govt Lisbon 'failure'". RTÉ News. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. and Sheahan, Fionnan (17 June 2008). "Revealed: why we voted 'No' to Lisbon". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Result is a reflection of popular belief that things can only get worse". The Irish Times. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
- ^ "Yes side only have themselves to blame". The Sunday Business Post. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Wie ein Milliardär Europa aufschreckt". Der Spiegel (in German). 28 September 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
- ^ "MEPs seeking source of Libertas funding". The Irish Times. 23 September 2008.
- ^ "American military ties to the Lisbon "no" camp?". The Economist. 23 September 2008.
- ^ "Post-vote poll". The Irish Times. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
- ^ "Flash Eurobarometer No 245 – Post-referendum survey in Ireland" (PDF). Gallup. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
- ^ "France's minister sees a neocon plot". The Economist. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
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- ^ a b McGurk, Tom (14 December 2008). "All aboard the Lisbon Treaty merry-go-round". The Sunday Business Post. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ a b Bar, Antonio (17 December 2008). "Cowen got what he asked for, but it was a pyrrhic victory". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
- ^ "National Declaration by Ireland – Seville". Department of the Taoiseach. 2002. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
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External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)
Official websites
- Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 – Oireachtas site, showing the stages of the bill's passage.
- The Lisbon Treaty – Referendum Commission
- Reform Treaty – An explanatory guide – Government of Ireland
- Reform Treaty – Department of Foreign Affairs
- Official Treaty website – Europa
- Treaty of Lisbon (EU Reform Treaty) – National Forum on Europe
- Full text of the Constitution of Ireland
Unofficial consolidated treaties
Media overviews
- Lisbon Treaty – RTÉ
- The Lisbon Treaty – The Irish Times
- Photos & Recordings of the College Historical Society debate on the Irish ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, featuring Garret FitzGerald, Joe Higgins, Declan Ganley and Maurice Hayes.
Political party campaigns
- Vote 4 Europe – Fianna Fáil
- Heart of Europe – Fine Gael
- EU Reform Treaty – Green Party
- YES to the Lisbon Reform Treaty...for a better Europe – Labour Party
- No 2 Lisbon Treaty Website – Sinn Féin
- No to Lisbon – éirígí
- Lisbon – A Treaty Too Far – Workers' Party
Groups
- Campaign Against the EU Constitution
- Cóir – Lisbon Treaty No Campaign
- Yes to Lisbon – Irish Alliance for Europe
- No to Lisbon campaign – Libertas
- Vote No to Lisbon Treaty – People Before Profit Alliance
- Peoples' Movement
- VoteNo.ie
- Vote No – Workers Solidarity Movement
Articles
- Green Light from the Emerald Isle? Ten Questions and Answers about Ireland spotlight Europe, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 15 May 2008
- Use dmy dates from March 2013
- 2008 in law
- 2008 elections in Europe
- 2008 in Irish politics
- 2008 referendums
- 2008 in the Republic of Ireland
- 2008 in international relations
- Euroscepticism in Ireland
- Failed amendments of the Constitution of Ireland
- Referendums in the Republic of Ireland
- Treaty of Lisbon
- Referendums related to the European Union