The Workers Party have said that the Irish government must not attempt to sign away the verdict of the Irish people on the Lisbon Treaty referendum.

The party’s campaign director in the referendum, Padraig Mannion, called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen and others in the defeated Yes campaign to stop talking simultaneously out of both sides of their mouths, saying on the one hand that they respect the decision of the people, but on the other hand seeking, without even pause for reflection, to renegotiate the treaty.

“What defeated the Lisbon Treaty more than anything else was the arrogance of the Yes campaign which decided that it knew better than the Irish people and would bring in the renamed EU Constitution no matter what the people thought. That arrogance has not stopped with yesterday’s humiliating defeat for the Yes side.  They have learned nothing from their defeat and are now intent on overturning the democratic decision of the sovereign Irish people”, said Mr. Mannion.

The Workers’ Party spokesman said that the triumph of the No side belonged to no single group or party in the campaign and that primarily it was the people’s victory, not just of the Irish people, but the people of all the European Union.  “We have had the debate on the Lisbon Treaty, it is dead and the European Commission and Irish government would be making a grave mistake to attempt to revive it again”, he said.

“The European Union Constitution / Lisbon Treaty has now been rejected firmly by the citizens of three member states.  Instead of seeing the Irish referendum result as an aberration or mistake that needs to be rectified, this result should be a cause for reflection and prolonged debate throughout the European Union outside of the heat of a referendum.  Instead of flying to Brussels next week to apologise for the way the Irish people voted, the government should stand by Thursday’s decision. The people have spoken – they should be listened to”, said Padraig Mannion.

Issued 13th June 2008