Forum on Europe to continue its work
Bertie Ahern comments on referendum result
Ireland ratifies Nice Treaty
Ireland has ratified the Nice Treaty by a majority referendum vote of 63 per cent, paving the way for 10 more applicant fcountries to join the EU.
The total number of votes cast at the referendum was 1,446,558, with 5,409 invalid votes.
- IN FAVOUR : 906,292
AGAINST : 534,887- Carrying majority : 371,405 = 63%
The outcome means that a proposed 26th ammendment to the Irish Consititution, required for the final ratification of acceptance of the Nice Treaty, will now go ahead.
Speaking after the announcement of the results, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he wished to thank everyone who had voted for what he said was the "best interests of Ireland and of Europe".
He said that the EU could now move forward to address the issues that were of concern across Europe and move to welcome new members into the Union. Ten countries have applied to join the EU—representing between 70 and 100 million people.
In the referendum last year the population returned a 54 per cent vote against the Nice Treaty.
Straw welcomes Ireland's 'yes' to enlargement
Commenting on the result of the Irish referendum on the Nice Treaty the UK Foreign
Secretary Jack Straw said that he was 'pleased that the Irish people have voted
in favour of the Treaty of Nice. Nice was and is necessary for enlargement to
take place smoothly by 2004'.
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/page6335.asp
HUME WELCOMES YES VOTE
October 21, 2002
John Hume MEP has welcomed the 'Yes' vote to this weekend's Nice Referendum.Mr Hume said: "The Irish Yes vote was very positive news. I welcome the fact that many new countries, with over 100 million people, will now be joining with us as full partners in the European Union and will add hugely to our cultural diversity, peace and prosperity.
"The new member states will enjoy the benefits of a single market, similar to those that Ireland has enjoyed since 1973.
"Many of the new countries are small with a similar population to the island of Ireland. I have no doubt that these countries now see Ireland as a very good friend.
"The SDLP has always been the pro European Union party in . Within the European Union there are many countries with different cultures and traditions working together in their common interests and very much to their mutual benefit. Countries that in the first half of the last century alone fought each other in two world wars. Now the EU is the greatest example of peace and prosperity building anywhere in the world.
"When the history books are written, the outward looking and progressive decision that was taken by the Irish people by referendum on Saturday the 19 October will be recorded as a very valuable contribution to the future of Europe."
'YES' VICTORY WILL ADVANCE EUROPEAN CAUSE NORTH AND SOUTH - MAGINNESS
October 21, 2002SDLP MLA for North Belfast, today welcomed the 'Yes' victory of the Nice Referendum.
Mr Maginness said: "The 'Yes' victory in the Nice Referendum is a great advance for the European cause in Ireland, North and South. It also represents a serious defeat by a substantial majority of the Irish majority for the 'No', campaigners in particular Sinn Féin whose ant-European stance has been decisively rejected.
"Essentially Sinn Féin is in fact an ant-European party, having opposed Irish membership in 1972 and having opposed all progressive improvements, or enlargements of the Union right up to and including Nice Treaty. Their anti European stance is still highlighted by their continued opposition to the Euro. Along with the British Conservatives and the DUP, Sinn Féin support the retention of the pound sterling in the North of Ireland.
"Once again the SDLP's pro-European stance has been vindicated by the democratic majority in Ireland."
NICE OUTCOME GOOD FOR
October 21, 2002Welcoming the outcome to the South's Nice referendum Sean Farren said: "The very positive outcome to the Nice referendum is welcome news in . The whole of Ireland will benefit from the enlargement of the European Union. Ten more member states means ten more markets in which our businesses, agricultural, manufacturing and services, will be able to trade. Enlargement also means membership of the EU for ten states that were formerly ruled by communist dictatorships. They will be able to participate in the world's greatest democratic union of free states. It marks the final destruction of the divisions represented by the Berlin Wall.
"Parties like Sinn Féin that campaigned against the Nice Treaty were against extending the benefits that Ireland had gained from EU membership to such states.
"The referendum result has shown that the majority of the Irish people reject such selfish and inward looking attitudes. In we must develop trading and cultural relationships with all of the states about to enter the EU. The possibilities are immense and we must not lose the new opportunities which now exist."
Nice Referendum result - A determining moment for Ireland and Europe
Statement by Mary Harney, TD An Tanaiste and Leader of the Progressive Democrats
October 20, 2002"The result of the Nice referendum is a defining moment for Ireland and for Europe as a whole.
The last 18 months have been a watershed in our democracy and how we see our place in Europe. There are profound lessons to be learned for both Ireland and Europe.
We must reflect on all the points of view expressed over these 18 months of debate. That democratic debate, as well as today's referendum, will influence our decisions and actions In the months and years ahead.
The people have voted, first, to remove the last vestiges of the Iron Curtain and the division of Europe. We clearly want to allow applicant countries the chance to re-unite and develop with us in Europe.
Second, we have voted decisively to remain an open, trading economy and society. We value international investment and the jobs it brings. We want to continue the economic and social strategy we have followed for 30 years.
Third, we have affirmed as a people that we require clear democratic control over political decision-making at national and European levels.
Political leaders throughout Europe will recognise in the Irish vote sentiments that many of their own populations share. As political leaders in Ireland and Europe, we cannot move too far away from our electorate and their wishes.
People want democratic control to be kept close to them. This means that some important issues must remain for national decision-making.
We have confirmed in this referendum that the Irish people will remain fully and exclusively in control over our defence forces. The agreement we reached at Nice on retaining national control over taxation has now received a direct and powerful political mandate.
Today, Ireland has played a lead role in Europe, and we have all won."
NI SDLP praise yes vote
October 20, 2002Carmel Hanna MLA for South Belfast has praised the people in the south of Ireland who turned out to vote 'yes' in the Referendum.
"The SDLP has lent its support to those campaigning for a yes vote, and we are delighted with the results of the referendum. We are delighted that people have turned their back on the "No Camp".
We believe that the ratification of Nice will lead to a strengthened and enlarged EU, and will lay the foundations for a European Constitution. This is desirable for the future political development of Europe. People want a say in how governance is shaped. How to provide that, must be a core element of any new constitution.
At core moments on the debate on Europe the SDLP have Sinn Féin have had opposing views. The Nice referendum was no exception, and it is clear that the people have rejected Sinn Féin's policy on Europe.
The SDLP will continue to lead on all issues of importance to the Irish people. This weekend we can see how Sinn Féin called it wrong again."
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