It seems one person’s poll is another’s poison. A few weeks ago in the immediate aftermath of the Lisbon Treaty referendum, the preliminary results of a European Commission poll, carried out by Gallup, were leaked to the Irish Independent who reported them inaccurately.
Days after the preliminary results were officially released, other findings from the survey not in the original published results were given to the Irish Times.
There was no comment from the Irish Government, no criticism of the leaks, the inaccurate reporting, or of the EU Commission’s reasons for conducting a poll in the first place.
This week what AFP describe as, “London-based euro-sceptic Open Europe think-tank” published a poll, conducted by Red C which showed that:
71% of Irish voters oppose a second Lisbon Treaty referendum with 24% in favour a re-run.
AFP reports that, “Of those who expressed an opinion, 62 % said they would vote “no” in a second referendum, compared to 34% who would vote “yes”.”
“67% agreed with the statement that “politicians in Europe do not respect Ireland’s no vote” and 61% disagreed with the statement that “if all of the other 26 EU countries ratify the treaty in their parliaments then Ireland has to change its mind and support the treaty.”
Now PA is reporting that Irish foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin has “slammed” Open Europe and accused them of “meddling” in the Lisbon Treaty debate.
Mr Martin said, “I would like to know what prompted a British organisation with a strong ideological bias to commission a poll into Irish attitudes to Europe at this time. Ireland’s future in Europe is a matter for decision by Irish people.”
Did Martin give Nicolas Sarkozy as blunt a message when he was in Dublin last week?
A Better Deal 
It beggars belief that Sinn Fein has left us in a situation, whereby we could find ourselves outside the heart of Europe and dependent on a UK conservative government to leverage on our behalf. Contrast this with Bairbre de Brún’s (MEP )assertion that the Northern Executive should forge closer links with Europe.Sounds to me like “speaking from both sides of your mouth”.
By: Whatever on July 28, 2008
at 11:50 am
It was the people that spoke and it sounded like a NO vote to me. Are you arguing that the people should be dissolved and a new one elected in their stead?
Forging closer links between the assembly and the EU institutions is not a contrast but a compliment to many of the points made during the lisbon debate – its about working with Europe through mature and open engagement. Sometimes that means saying No.
By: jer on July 28, 2008
at 5:35 pm
Does the Irish Gov. need to be reminded that most of the other EU countries did not allow their citizens a vote.
The Irish need to realize that other countries around the world respect them for their neutrality and logical reasoning. Sometimes its better to walk alone then among a group of thugs.
By: k on July 31, 2008
at 9:39 am