We should have known better. While the proponents of a NO to the European Union flocked to Ireland from foreign lands and even over oceans, we, who had negotiated, signed, approved and otherwise ratified the Lisbon Treaty stayed put.
We were afraid to appear to interfere in internal Irish affairs, to look patronizing, arrogant and overbearing. The opponents had none of these qualms. They lavishly spread lies and half truths, mongered fear and anxiety, carefully hiding their fundamental hostility to the Union itself.
We allowed them to get away with it. We might at least have made our own case and should have explained why we did approve the Lisbon treaty and should have asked the Irish people respectfully to consider our arguments. It might not have helped, but it wouldn’t have done any harm either.Timidity bordering on cowardice has never helped anyone win an electoral contest as the Irish have clearly demonstrated.It should be a lesson for the future.
Annemie Neyts – Uyttebroeck
Minister of State, MEP
President of the ELDR