Jun 18, 2008, 16:01 GMT
Dublin - Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen told parliament Wednesday that 'an apparent diminution in Ireland's representation and influence' in the institutions of the European Union led to last week's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by Irish voters.
Cowen made the comments in a speech to the Dail, or lower house, in Dublin where the agenda had been cleared to continue debating the fall-out from Ireland's no vote ahead of an EU summit on Thursday and Friday in Brussels.
'In particular, the fact that for five out of every 15 years, there would not be an Irish commissioner weighed with people,' Cowen said, adding this was despite the fact the Irish had agreed to fewer commissioners when they approved the Nice Treaty in 2002.
Cowen highlighted fears that Ireland's low corporate tax rate would be at risk under Lisbon and that the country's military neutrality would be lost with a common EU army as contributing to the no vote.
He rejected both concerns, saying Ireland already had opt-outs under existing treaties.
Other fears raised during the campaign that the European Court of Justice would be placed above Irish courts, forcing Ireland to introduce abortion for example, and that the Charter of Fundamental Rights would overrule Irish legislation were unfounded, he said.
Concerns by farmers that their interests were not being represented sufficiently at current EU-World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and unease among the population at a worsening global economic situation added to the no vote, Cowen said.
The lengthy format of the treaty and its many amendments confused voters, he added.
Opposition Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, meanwhile told parliament that several of the campaigns for the no vote were based on lies that were repeated, 'even when these lies had been discredited by independent sources.'
'This was done with the clear intent to confuse people and create doubts in their minds,' Kenny said, adding that some claims on the tax, defence, abortion and euthanasia issues were groundless.
'While I respect the outcome of the referendum ... I do not share some of the wilder interpretations that have been aired in recent days. Nor do I accept that there is any clear or obvious set of conclusions that can immediately be drawn,' Cowen said.
Cowen warned particularly against anti-European extremists trying to claim the Irish as their 'new friends.'
'I believe that no proud Irish man or woman could but be uneasy that (the likes of Jean Marie le Pen of France's National Front or Nigel Farrage of the UK Independence Party) rejoice in our decision,' he said.
Cowen outlined the many advantages Ireland had enjoyed in its 35 years in Europe, and he stressed that the country's future remained there.
'I do not believe last Thursday's vote to have been a rejection of Europe or of the need to continue to improve its functioning. My view remains that Ireland's future is bound with Europe's,' he said.
Cowen reiterated Wednesday comments he made Tuesday during question time in parliament.
'The people have spoken. The government accepts their verdict. It is for the government now to manage the political situation that develops as a result, both at home and internationally,' he said.
Ireland was the only EU member that held a popular vote to approve the treaty, as required by the country's constitution.
So far, 18 of the 27 EU parliaments have approved the treaty, with Britain's upper house due to vote later Wednesday.
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