Roche Comments Turns Dáil Against Him

Comments by the Minister for European Affairs on the idea of a second Lisbon Treaty referendum have sparked fierce criticism from almost the entire house.

The major opposition parties united against the comments by Dick Roche, who suggested a rerun of the Lisbon Treaty was the best way out of the European political stalemate.

However, Sinn Féin, the only Dáil party opposed to the Treaty, Fine Gael and Labour all insisted another vote was not an option.

Fine Gael European Affairs Spokesperson, Lucinda Creighton TD, said: "Unfortunately, Dick Roche's remarks smack of arrogance and an inability to recognise the sensitivity surrounding the Lisbon Treaty.

"It is clear that the Irish people said 'No' and that verdict must be respected.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Labour's Joan Burton TD described Mr Roche's comments as "unhelpful" and "unwise".

"It is only three months since the Irish people voted to reject the Treaty and politicians have to respect the verdict of the electorate. There can be no question of simply putting the same proposition to the people once again. There is no basis for believing that a second referendum would produce a different outcome to the one we got on June 12th," she said.

Despite the opposition, Minister Roche defended his comments, although conceded his position was not widely supported, evidenced by the lack of support from his own party.

'My personal view is that a referendum is the appropriate response to the position we are in," Mr Roche told an Irish newspaper. He added: "This is very much a personal view at this stage."

(DW/JM)