JUNE 2008

Inishowen votes No

The result of last Friday's referendum came as a surprise to everyone, not only in Inishowen but across the country. Joe McHugh Fine Gael laid blame for the defeat squarely at the feet of the government, claiming they had to accept responsibility for the fact that the people had not been sold the true benefits of voting yes.

Joe said "I think the responsibility and the culpability has to lie with the Government. Their message talked about what we achieved in the past; the argument was not strong enough on how we could benefit in the future. The people of Donegal voted overwhelmingly to reject the Treaty, I believe that this was due to a lack of understanding of the Treaty and also a fear with regards to the future of Europe. It is time for the bureaucrats from Brussels and Strasbourg to come and explain the future benefits of being part of the EU to Donegal citizens."

Neil Blaney said he was shocked and very much surprised at the massive rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in Donegal North East. "At the end of the day the people have spoken and you have to learn to listen when the people speak. I don't know if there's any future for this Treaty at this stage and I don't know if there is any drawing board in relation to renegotiations."

What the Fianna Fail TD did say however was that it was clear that a hard look would have to be taken at how Treaties are tackled from now on. "I do think we have to look at how we tackle Treaties and inform people from here on in, because the one message that comes across is confusion across the board and we have seen what people do when they're confused - they'll vote no."

Fianna Fail Senator Cecilia Keaveney said the "no" vote was disappointing for a "variety of reasons", a lot of which were not related to the Treaty." I know that from the messages I was picking up when I was canvassing right up to polling day. The "yes" argument was difficult to sell because it was not a radical Treaty that was going to bring about a lot of changes. It's aim had been to have structural changes that would have made Europe work more effectively, more efficiently and more democratically. In the face of so many claims a lot of which were proven to be untrue, made against the Treaty, the "yes" side was not able to get its positive message through to the public. It seemed that many people were not able to see through what was true and what was false and they did make the statement when you don't know vote no. Of course there were a number of people who voted "no" because they did understand and were not confused and I totally respect their right to do so. However, I was disappointed at the number of false claims that did circulate, however, particularly in relation to conscription, abortion other moral issues and the issue of taxation.

Sinn Fein councillor Padraig MacLochlainn welcomed the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in the Peninsula. None of the 58 boxes in Inishowen returned a majority "yes" vote and over 65% of Inishowen voters rejected the treaty. One of the strongest "no" votes came in Buncrana, home of Cllr. MacLachlainn.

Speaking at a gathering of party members and supporters who welcomed him home to Buncrana last Saturday, he said "I am absolutely delighted at the extent of the "no" vote in Inishowen and the overall rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish people. Our party fought a tremendous campaign locally and nationally, which clearly resonated with the people. Not one of the 58 boxes in Inishowen returned a majority "yes" vote. The Irish people have spoken. An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, must now assert Ireland's rights as an sovereign and equal partner in the European project. "For our part, Sinn Feign are willing to meet with him and play a constructive role in identifying the key issues to be addressed in the time ahead."

Local "No" campaigners Marie Furey and Mary Doherty who both attended Friday's count, expressed their delight at the outcome of the referendum. "I believe the Irish people showed great knowledge and wisdom in voting "No" they may not have been able to read the Lisbon Treaty nor understand the legality of the text but many of them voted "No" because they experienced the detrimental effects of EU directives in their everyday lives," Mary Doherty said.

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