Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008

{{see also|Irish European Constitution referendum}}

The Treaty of Lisbon was signed by the member states of the European Union on 13 December 2007. It was in large part a revision of the text of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe after its rejection in referendums in France in May 2005 and in the Netherlands in June 2005. The Treaty of Lisbon preserved most of the content of the Constitution, especially the new rules on the functioning of the European Institutions, but gives up any symbolic or terminologic reference to a Constitution. (See Treaty of Lisbon compared to the European Constitution.)

Because of the decision of the Supreme Court in Crotty v. An Taoiseach (1987), an amendment to the Constitution was required before it could be ratified by Ireland. Ireland was the only one of the then 15 EU member states to put the Treaty to the people in a referendum. Ratification of the Treaty in all other member states was decided upon by national parliaments alone.

The Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill proposed to make the following changes to Article 29.4:

Deletion of subsections 9° and 11:

{{quote frame|9° The State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 1.2 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 7° of this section where that common defence would include the State.

11° The State may ratify the Agreement relating to Community Patents drawn up between the Member States of the Communities and done at Luxembourg on the 15th day of December, 1989.}}

Subsection 10° renumbered as subsection 9°.

Insertion of the following subsections:

{{quote frame|

10° The State may ratify the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon on the 13th day of December 2007, and may be a member of the European Union established by virtue of that Treaty.

11° No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State that are necessitated by the obligations of membership of the European Union referred to in subsection 10 of this section, or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the said European Union or by institutions thereof, or by bodies competent under the treaties referred to in this section, from having the force of law in the State.

12° The State may exercise the options or discretions provided by or under Articles 1.22, 2.64, 2.65, 2.66, 2.67, 2.68 and 2.278 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 10 of this section and Articles 1.18 and 1.20 of Protocol No. 1 annexed to that Treaty, but any such exercise shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

13° The State may exercise the option to secure that the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (formerly known as the Treaty establishing the European Community) shall, in whole or in part, cease to apply to the State, but any such exercise shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

14° The State may agree to the decisions, regulations or other acts under —

:i. Article 1.34(b)(iv),

:ii. Article 1.56 (in so far as it relates to Article 48.7 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 4 of this section),

:iii. Article 2.66 (in so far as it relates to the second subparagraph of Article 65.3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union),

:iv. Article 2.67 (in so far as it relates to subparagraph (d) of Article 69A.2, the third subparagraph of Article 69B.1 and paragraphs 1 and 4 of Article 69E of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union),

:v. Article 2.144(a),

:vi. Article 2.261 (in so far as it relates to the second subparagraph of Article 270a.2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), and

:vii. Article 2.278 (in so far as it relates to Article 280H of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), of the Treaty referred to in subsection 10 of this section, and may also agree to the decision under the second sentence of the second subparagraph of Article 137.2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (as amended by Article 2.116(a) of the Treaty referred to in the said subsection 10), but the agreement to any such decision, regulation or act shall be subject to the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

15° The State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to —

:i. Article 1.2 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 7 of this section, or

:ii. Article 1.49 of the Treaty referred to in subsection 10 of this section, where that common defence would include the State.}}

On 26 February 2008, the Government of Ireland approved the text of the changes to the constitution.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0226/eulisbon.html|title=Cabinet approves text for Lisbon vote|work=RTÉ News|date=26 February 2008|access-date=26 February 2008|archive-date=5 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305015247/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0226/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} The Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill was proposed in Dáil Éireann by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern on 2 April 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2008-04-02/22/|title=Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage.|date=2 April 2008|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=Houses of the Oireachtas|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525204939/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2008-04-02/22/|url-status=live}} It passed final stages in the Dáil on 29 April, with Sinn Féin TDs and Independent TD Tony Gregory rising against, but with insufficient numbers to call a vote.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2008-04-29/20/|title=Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages.|date=29 April 2008|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=Houses of the Oireachtas|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525204817/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2008-04-29/20/|url-status=live}} It passed final stages in the Seanad on 7 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2008-05-07/7/|title=Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages.|date=7 May 2008|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=Houses of the Oireachtas|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525204757/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2008-05-07/7/|url-status=live}}

File:Lisbon Treaty first Irish (2008) referendum posters.jpg, Dublin]]

A Referendum Commission was established by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2008/si/58/made/en/print|title=S.I. No. 58/2008 - Referendum Commission (Establishment) Order 2008|date=6 March 2008|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=Irish Statute Book|archive-date=26 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526041244/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2008/si/58/made/en/print|url-status=live}} It was chaired by former High Court judge Iarfhlaith O'Neill. Its role was to prepare one or more statements containing a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposal and of the text of the proposal in the amendment bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2001/act/53/enacted/en/print|title=Referendum Act, 2001|date=22 December 2001|access-date=24 May 2018|publisher=Irish Statute Book|archive-date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521205554/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2001/act/53/enacted/en/print|url-status=live}}

Participants were:See also: Irish Times articles on the [http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/mainplayers/no.html "No"] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wYw62V4Y?url=http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/mainplayers/no.html |date=17 February 2011 }} and [http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/mainplayers/yes.html "Yes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wYw77LY2?url=http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/mainplayers/yes.html |date=17 February 2011 }} factions, and the [http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/mainplayers/refcom.html Referendum Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wYw4z62e?url=http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/mainplayers/refcom.html |date=17 February 2011 }}

The government parties of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats were in favour of the treaty, but the other government party, the Green Party, was divided on the issue. At a special convention on 19 January 2008, the leadership of the Green Party failed to secure a two-thirds majority required to make support for the referendum official party policy. The result of the vote was 63% in favour. As a result, the Green Party itself did not participate in the referendum debate, although individual members were free to be involved in whatever side they chose; all Green Party members of the Oireachtas supported the Treaty.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0119/breaking44.htm|title=Greens fail to agree support for Lisbon Treaty|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=19 January 2008|access-date=14 March 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105542/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/greens-fail-to-agree-support-for-lisbon-treaty-1.817462|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0121/1200605248320.html|title=Greens will not take party stance on Lisbon Treaty|author=Deaglán de Bréadún|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=21 January 2008|access-date=14 March 2008|archive-date=8 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908061759/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0121/1200605248320.html|url-status=live}} The main opposition parties of Fine Gael{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0122/eu.html|title=FG calls on public to back Lisbon Treaty|work=RTÉ News|date=21 January 2008|access-date=22 January 2008|archive-date=29 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129200017/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0122/eu.html|url-status=live}} and the Labour Party were also in favour. Only one party represented in the Oireachtas, Sinn Féin, was opposed to the treaty, while minor parties opposed to it included the Socialist Party, the Workers' Party and the Socialist Workers Party. Independent TD's Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath, Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott, and Independent members of the Seanad from the universities David Norris, Shane Ross and Rónán Mullen advocated a No vote as well.

The then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern warned against making Ireland a 'battlefield' for eurosceptics across Europe. The invitation by UCD's Law Society to French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen was seen as an example of this.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0117/breaking63.htm|title=Reports of Le Pen visit prompt angry reaction|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=17 January 2008|access-date=17 January 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105552/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/reports-of-le-pen-visit-prompt-angry-reaction-1.817351|url-status=live}} Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party, committed his party to supporting the No campaign saying: “UKIP members will be encouraged to go to Ireland to help.”{{cite web|url=http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=387&Itemid=57|work=UK Independence Party|date=14 April 2008|title=Ireland pressured to vote for EU treaty|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416131229/http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=387&Itemid=57|archive-date=16 April 2008}}

The Government sent bilingual booklets written in English and Irish, explaining the Treaty, to all 2.5 million Irish households. However compendiums of the two previous treaties, of which the Lisbon Treaty is intended to be a series of reforms and amendments, remain unavailable in Ireland.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0305/1204240539595.html|author=Vincent Browne|title=Gobbledegook and the case against the Lisbon Treaty|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=5 March 2008|access-date=7 November 2008|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520110429/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0305/1204240539595.html|url-status=live}} Some commentators have argued that the treaty remains essentially incomprehensible in the absence of such a compendium.

On 12 March 2008, Libertas, a lobby group started by businessman Declan Ganley launched a campaign called Facts, not politics which advocated a No vote in the referendum.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html|title=Anti-Lisbon treaty campaign is launched|work=RTÉ News|date=12 March 2008|access-date=1 April 2008|archive-date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414010729/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} A month later, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel appealed to Irish people to vote Yes in the referendum whilst on a visit to Ireland. The anti-Lisbon Treaty campaign group accused the government and Fine Gael of a U-turn on their previous policy of discouraging foreign leaders from visiting Ireland during the referendum campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0414/eulisbon.html|title=Merkel calls for Yes vote on Lisbon Treaty|work=RTÉ News|date=14 April 2008|access-date=14 April 2008|archive-date=20 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420021331/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0414/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} The European Commissioner for the Internal Market Charlie McCreevy admitted he had not read the Treaty from cover to cover, and said "he would not expect any sane person to do so".{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0523/eulisbon.html|title=Germany is 14th state to ratify Lisbon Treaty|work=RTÉ News|date=23 May 2008|access-date=24 May 2008|archive-date=29 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529181257/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0523/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}}

At the start of May, the Irish Alliance for Europe launched its campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum this consisted of trade unionists, business people, academics and politicians. Its members include Garret FitzGerald, Ruairi Quinn, Pat Cox and Michael O'Kennedy.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0502/eulisbon.html|title=Alliance launches Treaty Yes campaign|work=RTÉ News|date=2 May 2008|access-date=4 May 2008|archive-date=3 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503190028/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0502/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} The Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated that should any member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party campaign against the treaty, they would likely be expelled from the party.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cowen-to-kick-out-ff-treaty-rebels-1373861.html|work=Irish Independent|title=Cowen to kick out FF treaty 'rebels'|date=13 May 2008|access-date=23 May 2008|first1=Fionnan|last1=Sheahan|first2=Senan|last2=Molony|first3=Michael|last3=Brennan|archive-date=17 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517035844/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cowen-to-kick-out-ff-treaty-rebels-1373861.html|url-status=live}}

On 21 May 2008, the executive council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions voted to support a Yes vote in the referendum.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0521/breaking3.html|title=Ictu votes to support Lisbon Treaty Yes vote|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=21 May 2008|access-date=21 May 2008|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520110522/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0521/breaking3.html|url-status=live}} Rank and file members of the individual unions were not balloted and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) advised its 45,000 members to vote No. The Irish bishops conference stated the Catholic Church's declaration that the treaty would not weaken Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion, however the conference did not advocate either a Yes or No vote. By the start of June, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party had united in their push for a Yes vote despite earlier divisions.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0530/1212095649976.html|title=FF and main Opposition parties unite to push for Yes vote|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=30 May 2008 |access-date=30 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122183856/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0530/1212095649976.html |archive-date=22 November 2010 }} The two largest farming organisations, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA){{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0601/eulisbon.html|title=ICMSA to support Lisbon Yes vote|work=RTÉ News|date=1 June 2008|access-date=4 June 2008|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223053501/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0601/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and the Irish Farmers' Association{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0603/eulisbon.html|title=IFA calls for Yes vote on Lisbon|work=RTÉ News|date=3 June 2008|access-date=4 June 2008|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223053457/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0603/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} called for a Yes vote, the latter giving its support after assurances from the Taoiseach Brian Cowen that Ireland would use its veto in Europe if a deal on World Trade reform was unacceptable.

There were 3,051,278 voters on the electoral register.{{cite web|url=http://www.referendum.ie/current/resultsummary.asp?ballotid=78|title=Referendum.ie – Referendum: The Lisbon Treaty|work=Referendum Commission|access-date=15 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617210123/http://www.referendum.ie/current/resultsummary.asp?ballotid=78|archive-date=17 June 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy}} The vast majority of voting took place on Thursday, 12 June between 07:00 and 22:00. Counting began the following morning at 09:00. Several groups voted before the standard polling day:

Some groups were able to cast postal votes before 9 June, namely: members of the Irish Defence Forces serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions; Irish diplomats and their spouses abroad; members of the Garda Síochána; those unable to vote in person due to physical illness or disability; those who would be unable to vote in person due to their employment (including students); and prisoners.{{cite web|url=http://www.referendum.ie/downloads/Advert%20-%20Supplement%20to%20Postal-Special%2015x3-Final.pdf

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201442/http://www.referendum.ie/downloads/Advert%20-%20Supplement%20to%20Postal-Special%2015x3-Final.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008|title=Referendum.ie – Supplement to the Postal and Special Voters List|work=Referendum Commission|access-date=15 June 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy}}

On 9 June, several islands off the coast of County Donegal voted: Tory Island, Inisfree, Gola, Inishbofin and Arranmore Island; these islands are all part of the Donegal South-West constituency. Around 37% of the 745 eligible voted.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0609/eulisbon1.html|title=Islanders cast first votes on Lisbon|work=RTÉ News|date=9 June 2008|access-date=11 June 2008|archive-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108044740/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0609/eulisbon1.html|url-status=live}} Two days later, several islands off the coast of Counties Galway and Mayo voted: the Aran Islands (Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr) and Inishboffin form part of Galway West constituency; while Inishturk, Inishbiggle and Clare Island form part of the Mayo constituency. The Galway islands had 1,169 eligible to vote, while the Mayo islands had 197.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0611/eulisbon.html|title=Referendum voting on west coast islands|work=RTÉ News|date=11 June 2008|access-date=11 June 2008|archive-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108064814/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0611/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}}

Votes were counted separately in each Dáil constituency. The overall verdict was formally announced by the Referendum Returning officer in Dublin Castle by accumulating the constituency totals.

The national result was as follows:

File:Results of the June 2008 referendum on the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland - choropleth.png giving percentage vote "Yes".
All figures rounded to nearest digit.

{{legend|#990000|65% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#FF0000|60% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#FF9900|55% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#FFFF00|50% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#00FF00|45% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#3399FF|40% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#0000FF|35% or more Yes}}

{{legend|#6633AA|Under 35% Yes}}]]

{{Referendum

|title = Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland Bill 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Voting/referendum_results_1937-2015.pdf|work=Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government|title=Referendum Results 1937–2015|page=77|date=23 August 2016|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220195002/http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Voting/referendum_results_1937-2015.pdf|url-status=live}}

|no = 862,415

|nopct = 53.40

|yes = 752,451

|yespct = 46.60

|valid = 1,614,866

|validpct = 99.62

|invalid = 6,171

|invalidpct = 0.38

|total = 1,621,037

|turnoutpct = 53.13

|electorate = 3,051,278

}}

{{clear}}

Ireland had begun to cast a sceptical{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php|title=Irish voters and the EU|work=International Herald Tribune|date=16 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=18 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618015630/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837235.html|title=Result reveals audience for euroscepticism|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025112049/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837235.html|url-status=live}} eye on the EU and general concerns about how Europe was developing were raised.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0617/1213646602103.html|title=Lisbon clause could provide for permanent commissioner|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=17 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520110941/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0617/1213646602103.html|url-status=live}} In Spring 2007, the Irish citizenry had the second least European identity in the EU, with 59% identifying as exclusively Irish as opposed to wholly/partly European.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840634.html|title=Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111313/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840634.html|url-status=live}} The integrationist aspects of the Lisbon treaty were therefore also of concern.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html|title=Second referendum cannot be held, says O'Rourke|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=10 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210075916/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking66.htm|title=Cowen 'must seek halt to ratification'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105544/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-must-seek-halt-to-ratification-1.824546|url-status=live}} Few expressed specifically anti-EU statements, but pro-EU sentiments were interpreted{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php |title=Irish voters and the EU |work=International Herald Tribune |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=19 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618015630/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php |archive-date=18 June 2008 }} or expressed{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837224.html|title=The people have spoken – and they are not loo-lahs|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025112925/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837224.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html|title=Anti-Lisbon treaty campaign is launched|work=RTÉ News and Current Affairs|date=12 March 2008|access-date=22 June 2008|archive-date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414010729/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} in favour of an idealised/desired EU and expressed concern about its present form or the future direction of the EU post-Lisbon. To keep Ireland's power and identity,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840634.html|title=Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111313/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840634.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083542/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|url-status=live}} voters chose to vote "no".

Another factor in Lisbon's failure was Lisbon itself. An impenetrable legal document, it could not be understood without close study,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083542/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840634.html|title=Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111313/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840634.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0428/eulisbon.html|title=Only 5% understand Lisbon Treaty, survey|work=RTÉ News|date=28 April 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=1 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501161908/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0428/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article4088142.ece|title=Be positive, vote no|work=The Sunday Times|date=8 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=Sean|last1=O'Neill|first2=Fiona|last2=Hamilton|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105552/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}} and even the Referendum Commission – the nonpartisan body set up to explain it – could not explain it all.{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php|title=Irish voters and the EU|work=International Herald Tribune|date=16 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=18 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618015630/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0604/eulisbon.html|title=Referendum body sheds light on Lisbon|work=RTÉ News|date=4 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223031834/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0604/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.tribune.ie/news/article/2008/jun/15/ten-reasons-why-ireland-said-no-to-lisbon/

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008032347/http://www.tribune.ie/news/article/2008/jun/15/ten-reasons-why-ireland-said-no-to-lisbon|archive-date=8 October 2009|title=Ten reasons why Ireland said No to Lisbon|work=Sunday Tribune|date=15 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008}} The treaty's lack of clarity meant that interpretations could not be confidently stated to be true or false. Consequently, issues such as

abortion,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking2.htm|title=Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105548/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-says-ireland-faces-uncertainty-1.824529|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|title=Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111146/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0519/eulisbon.html|title=No Lisbon renegotiation, says Mansergh|work=RTÉ News|date=19 May 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=20 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520023350/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0519/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0604/eulisbon.html|title=Referendum body sheds light on Lisbon|work=RTÉ News|date=4 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223031834/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0604/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=NEWS+FEATURES-qqqs=news-qqqid=33714-qqqx=1.asp |title=Yes side only have themselves to blame |work=The Sunday Business Post |date=15 June 2008 |access-date=19 June 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4167681.ece|title=Pressure on Czechs and Poles not to say 'no' to EU treaty too|work=The Times|date=19 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=David|last1=Sharrock|first2=David|last2=Charter|archive-date=13 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813013555/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4167681.ece|url-status=dead}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|title=Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?|work=Centre for European Reform|date=June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201442/http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008}}

tax,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking2.htm|title=Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105544/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-says-ireland-faces-uncertainty-1.824529|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|title=Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111146/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|title=Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)|work=The Sunday Times|date=15 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=Nicola|last1=Smith|first2=Jonathan|last2=Oliver|archive-date=28 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174739/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|url-status=dead}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0602/eulisbon.html|title=Yes campaign criticised over tax position|work=RTÉ News|date=2 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223053459/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0602/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0501/eulisbon.html|title=Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams|work=RTÉ News|date=1 May 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=5 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505142240/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0501/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html|title=Anti-Lisbon treaty campaign is launched|work=RTÉ News|date=12 March 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414010729/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4167681.ece|title=Pressure on Czechs and Poles not to say 'no' to EU treaty too|work=The Times|date=19 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=David|last1=Sharrock|first2=David|last2=Charter|archive-date=13 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813013555/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4167681.ece|url-status=dead}}

euthanasia,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083542/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|title=Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?|work=Centre for European Reform|date=June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201442/http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008}}

the veto,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking66.htm|title=Cowen 'must seek halt to ratification'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105556/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-must-seek-halt-to-ratification-1.824546|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837228.html|title=A good start would have been half the work for Yes campaign|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025110945/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369837228.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0523/eulisbon.html|title=Germany is 14th state to ratify Lisbon Treaty|work=RTÉ News|date=23 May 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=29 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529181257/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0523/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0604/eulisbon.html|title=Referendum body sheds light on Lisbon|work=RTÉ News|date=4 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223031834/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0604/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0501/eulisbon.html|title=Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams|work=RTÉ News|date=1 May 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=5 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505142240/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0501/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}}

EU directives,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259838.html|title=Ministers to meet ahead of vital EU summit|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083457/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259838.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking2.htm|title=Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105548/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-says-ireland-faces-uncertainty-1.824529|url-status=live}}

qualified majority voting,{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|title=Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)|work=The Sunday Times|date=15 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=Nicola|last1=Smith|first2=Jonathan|last2=Oliver|archive-date=28 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174739/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|url-status=dead}}

Ireland's commissioner,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking66.htm|title=Cowen 'must seek halt to ratification'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105558/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-must-seek-halt-to-ratification-1.824546|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|title=Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)|work=The Sunday Times|date=15 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=Nicola|last1=Smith|first2=Jonathan|last2=Oliver|archive-date=28 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174739/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|url-status=dead}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/13/ireland.eu/index.html|title=EU reform thrown into turmoil as Irish reject treaty|work=Centre for European Reform|date=13 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=17 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617125245/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/13/ireland.eu/index.html|url-status=live}}

detention of three-year-olds,

the death penalty,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2008/06/why_politicians.html|title=Why politicians hate referendums|work=BBC News|date=16 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112064915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2008/06/why_politicians.html|url-status=live}}

Euroarmy conscription,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html|title=Second referendum cannot be held, says O'Rourke|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210075916/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259934.html|archive-date=10 February 2011}}

gay marriage,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083542/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|archive-date=29 October 2010}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|title=Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?|work=Centre for European Reform|date=June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201442/http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/13/ireland.eu/index.html|title=EU reform thrown into turmoil as Irish reject treaty|work=Centre for European Reform|date=13 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=17 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617125245/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/06/13/ireland.eu/index.html|url-status=live}}

immigration,{{cite news|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=NEWS+FEATURES-qqqs=news-qqqid=33714-qqqx=1.asp |title=Yes side only have themselves to blame |work=The Sunday Business Post |date=15 June 2008 |access-date=19 June 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/news/artykul84478.html|title=Ireland divided over Lisbon Treaty|work=Polskie Radio|date=10 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=7 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007051045/http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/news/artykul84478.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lisbon-treaty/revealed-why-we-voted-no-to-lisbon-1412027.html|title=Revealed: why we voted 'No' to Lisbon|work=Irish Independent|date=17 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|first=Fionnan|last=Sheahan|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520041955/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lisbon-treaty/revealed-why-we-voted-no-to-lisbon-1412027.html|url-status=live}}

nuclear energy,{{cite web|publisher=Sinn Féin|title=Ireland Deserves Better|url=http://www.no2lisbon.ie/media/LisbonA4English.pdf|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201440/http://www.no2lisbon.ie/media/LisbonA4English.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008}} workers' rights, sovereignty,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|title=Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111146/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|title=Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?|work=Centre for European Reform|date=June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201442/http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008}}

and neutrality{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0618/breaking2.htm|title=Cowen says Ireland 'faces uncertainty'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105543/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/cowen-says-ireland-faces-uncertainty-1.824529|url-status=live}} See also: {{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|title=Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025111146/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0614/1213369840648.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|title=Real people 1, Eurocrats 0 (after extra time)|work=The Sunday Times|date=15 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=Nicola|last1=Smith|first2=Jonathan|last2=Oliver|archive-date=28 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174739/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4138316.ece|url-status=dead}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0606/eulisbon.html|title=Cowen fights back over Govt Lisbon 'failure'|work=RTÉ News|date=6 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=12 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612180303/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0606/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0501/eulisbon.html|title=Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams|work=RTÉ News|date=1 May 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=5 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505142240/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0501/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4167681.ece|title=Pressure on Czechs and Poles not to say 'no' to EU treaty too|work=The Times|date=19 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|location=London|first1=David|last1=Sharrock|first2=David|last2=Charter|archive-date=13 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813013555/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4167681.ece|url-status=dead}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|title=Will The Irish Guillotine Lisbon?|work=Centre for European Reform|date=June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201442/http://www.cer.org.uk/pdf/bn_irish_ref_hb_4june08.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2008}}

were raised, some of which were spurious{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php|title=Irish voters and the EU|work=International Herald Tribune|date=16 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=18 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618015630/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/16/opinion/edeu.php|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicireland.net/pages/index.php?nd=2&art=2014|title=The Lisbon Treaty: Yes or No?|publisher=CatholicIreland.net|access-date=20 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527055839/http://www.catholicireland.net/pages/index.php?nd=2&art=2014|archive-date=27 May 2011|df=dmy-all}} or actually dealt with by the Treaty of Nice.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article4088142.ece|title=Be positive, vote no|work=The Sunday Times|date=8 June 2008|access-date=20 June 2008|location=London|first1=Sean|last1=O'Neill|first2=Fiona|last2=Hamilton|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924105544/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}} The "No" faction could fight on whichever terrain they wished{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article4088170.ece|title=Polls show scant support for Lisbon treaty|work=The Sunday Times|date=8 June 2008|access-date=20 June 2008|location=London|first1=Stephen|last1=Obrien|first2=Richard|last2=Oakley}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and could give positive reasons for rejecting the treaty, such as the possibility of renegotiation.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|title=Treaty opponents saw few risks in voting No|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083542/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259849.html|url-status=live}} See also:

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0519/eulisbon.html|title=No Lisbon renegotiation, says Mansergh|work=RTÉ News|date=19 May 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=20 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520023350/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0519/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0606/eulisbon.html|title=Cowen fights back over Govt Lisbon 'failure'|work=RTÉ News|date=6 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=12 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612180303/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0606/eulisbon.html|url-status=live}} and

{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lisbon-treaty/revealed-why-we-voted-no-to-lisbon-1412027.html|title=Revealed: why we voted 'No' to Lisbon|work=Irish Independent|date=17 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|first=Fionnan|last=Sheahan|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520041955/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lisbon-treaty/revealed-why-we-voted-no-to-lisbon-1412027.html|url-status=live}} Conversely, the "Yes" faction could only offer negatives{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0614/1213369844754.html|title=Result is a reflection of popular belief that things can only get worse|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 June 2008|access-date=19 June 2008|archive-date=25 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025112901/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0614/1213369844754.html|url-status=live}} and could only react to the statements of the other side.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=NEWS+FEATURES-qqqs=news-qqqid=33714-qqqx=1.asp |title=Yes side only have themselves to blame |work=The Sunday Business Post |date=15 June 2008 |access-date=19 June 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Lacking a clear identification of specifics, voters chose to vote "No".

In September 2008 rumours in Brussels indicated that US billionaires and neocons heavily influenced the Irish vote by sponsoring the "No" campaigns, particularly those of Declan Ganley's Libertas lobby group.{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,580807,00.html|title=Wie ein Milliardär Europa aufschreckt|work=Der Spiegel|date=28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|language=de|archive-date=1 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001115542/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,580807,00.html|url-status=live}} It is said that US interest groups this way pursued their goal of hindering the European Union to become a stronger partner internationally. However, the British conservative MEP Jonathan Evans reported to EUobserver on 9 December 2008 after returning from a European Parliament delegation to the US, "[o]ur congressional colleagues drew our attention to a statement from US deputy secretary of state John Negroponte at Trinity College Dublin on 17 November, completely refuting the suggestion of any US dimension whatsoever". The European Parliament is considering launching "an inquiry to discover whether US agencies actively supported Libertas in the 12 June referendum."{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0923/1222105125507.html|title=MEPs seeking source of Libertas funding|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=23 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520094212/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0923/1222105125507.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/certainideasofeurope/2008/09/us_military_ties_to_the_lisbon.cfm|title=American military ties to the Lisbon "no" camp?|newspaper=The Economist|date=23 September 2008|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=20 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620012443/http://www.economist.com/blogs/certainideasofeurope/2008/09/us_military_ties_to_the_lisbon.cfm|url-status=live}}

A poll was published by the Irish Times on 18 June 2008. The question was "Why did you vote no?" and the results{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259853.html|title=Post-vote poll|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 June 2008|access-date=20 June 2008|archive-date=29 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029083654/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0618/1213735259853.html|url-status=live}} are given below.

A Flash Eurobarometer poll of 2,000 random respondents was conducted between 13 and 15 June on behalf of the European Commission by Gallup. Those respondents who voted "no" in the referendum were asked "Please tell me what are the reasons why you voted "no" to the treaty?" and the results{{cite news|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_245_en.pdf|title=Flash Eurobarometer No 245 – Post-referendum survey in Ireland|work=Gallup|date=18 June 2008|access-date=22 June 2008|archive-date=24 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624201439/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_245_en.pdf|url-status=live}} are given below.

French Europe Minister Jean-Pierre Jouyet blamed "American neoconservatives" for the Irish voter's rejection of the treaty.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/certainideasofeurope/2008/06/frances_minister_sees_a_neocon.cfm|title=France's minister sees a neocon plot|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=6 July 2008|date=26 June 2008|archive-date=5 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705043206/http://www.economist.com/blogs/certainideasofeurope/2008/06/frances_minister_sees_a_neocon.cfm|url-status=live}}

{{main|Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland}}

In the meeting of the European Council (the meeting of the heads of government of all twenty-seven European Union member states) in Brussels on 11–12 December 2008, Taoiseach Brian Cowen presented the concerns of the Irish people relating to taxation policy, family, social and ethical issues, and Ireland's policy of neutrality.{{cite news|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ec/104692.pdf|title=Presidency Conclusions, Council of the European Union, Brussels, 11–12 December 2008|work=European Council|date=12 December 2008|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-date=29 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229163551/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ec/104692.pdf|url-status=live}} Effectively Ireland's position was renegotiated, and the revised package was approved by the electorate in 2009. Because of the Irish financial crisis it was also apparent that Ireland would need increased financial support from the European Union.

The European Council agreed that:

• the necessary legal guarantees would be given that nothing in the Treaty of Lisbon made any change of any kind to the Union's competences on taxation for any member state;
• the necessary legal guarantees would be given that the Treaty of Lisbon did not prejudice the security and defence policy of any member state, including Ireland's traditional policy of neutrality;
• the necessary legal guarantees would be given that neither the Treaty of Lisbon (including the Justice and Home Affairs provisions), nor the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, affected the provisions of the Irish Constitution in relation to the right to life, education and the family in any way;
• in accordance with the necessary legal procedures, a Decision would be taken to retain Ireland's Commissioner, provided that the Treaty of Lisbon was ratified;
• the high importance attached to issues including workers' rights would be confirmed.

The Irish Government then committed to seeking ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by the end of the term of the current European Commission (October 2009), provided that the above were implemented satisfactorily.

The European Council did not specify what forms the legal guarantees would take. The Sunday Business Post stated that what the European Council had offered were Decisions and/or Declarations, not protocols.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=TOM+MCGURK-qqqs=commentandanalysis-qqqid=38228-qqqx=1.asp|author=McGurk, Tom|title=All aboard the Lisbon Treaty merry-go-round|work=The Sunday Business Post|date=14 December 2008|access-date=15 December 2008}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Decisions and/or Declarations of the European Council are agreements made between all twenty-seven member states of the European Union and are not part of a treaty, whereas protocols are agreements between states as part of a treaty.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/1217/1229035813202.html|title=Cowen got what he asked for, but it was a pyrrhic victory|author=Bar, Antonio|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=17 December 2008|access-date=17 December 2008|archive-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521052319/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/1217/1229035813202.html|url-status=live}} Previous examples of Decisions and/or Declarations following a referendum rejection include the 1992 Edinburgh Agreement (following the first Danish referendum on the Maastricht Treaty) and the 2002 Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice{{cite news|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?docID=874|title=National Declaration by Ireland – Seville|work=Department of the Taoiseach|year=2002|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-date=2 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202194040/http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?docID=874|url-status=live}} (following the first Irish referendum on the Treaty of Nice). French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking to the European Parliament in his capacity as President of the European Council{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7785233.stm|title=Sarkozy attacks federalists in EU|work=BBC News Online|date=16 December 2008|access-date=30 December 2008|archive-date=18 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118185031/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7785233.stm|url-status=live}} during the six-month presidency of that body by France, stated that the legal guarantees would be added as a protocol later to the treaty, enabling Croatia to join the European Union legally.

The guarantee that Ireland would keep its Commissioner provided Lisbon was ratified was criticised in the Irish Times on the grounds that it may lead to an oversized European Commission.

The Twenty-eighth Amendment in October 2009 formally authorised the government to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon.

• European Commission Representation in Ireland
• Politics of the Republic of Ireland

{{Reflist|2}}

{{wikisource|Treaty of Lisbon}}

{{wikisource|Constitution of Ireland}}

Official websites

• [https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2008/14/?tab=debates Oireachtas Debates: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080425191839/http://www.lisbontreaty2008.ie/index.html The Lisbon Treaty] – Referendum Commission
• [http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=34239 Reform Treaty – An explanatory guide] – Government of Ireland
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080105062629/http://www.reformtreaty.ie/ Reform Treaty] – Department of Foreign Affairs
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081216012152/http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm Official Treaty website] – Europa
• [http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/cg00014.en07.pdf Treaty of Lisbon text]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080609034002/http://www.forumoneurope.ie/index.asp?locID=442&docID=-1 Treaty of Lisbon (EU Reform Treaty)] – National Forum on Europe
• [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/en/constitution/index.html Full text of the Constitution of Ireland]

Unofficial consolidated treaties

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080416040801/http://www.iiea.com/publicationx.php?publication_id=33 Treaty of Lisbon 2007: Consolidated Treaties] – Institute of European Affairs

Media overviews

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100226052636/http://www.rte.ie/news/features/lisbontreaty/index.html Lisbon Treaty] – RTÉ
• [http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/thelisbontreaty/ The Lisbon Treaty] – The Irish Times
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003044/http://www.thehist.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=714&Itemid=680 Photos] & [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003124/http://www.thehist.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=147&Itemid=681 Recordings] of the College Historical Society debate on the Irish ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, featuring Garret FitzGerald, Joe Higgins, Declan Ganley and Maurice Hayes.

Political party campaigns

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080518101104/http://www.fiannafail.ie/reform_treaty.phpx Vote 4 Europe] – Fianna Fáil
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080525203629/http://www.heart-of-europe.ie/ Heart of Europe] – Fine Gael
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080408133043/http://www.greenparty.ie/en/policies/eu_reform_treaty EU Reform Treaty] – Green Party
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080324014450/http://www.labour.ie/lisbonreformtreaty/ YES to the Lisbon Reform Treaty...for a better Europe] – Labour Party
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080314002132/http://www.no2lisbon.ie/ No 2 Lisbon Treaty Website] – Sinn Féin
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080324042451/http://www.eirigi.org/campaigns/no_to_Lisbon.html No to Lisbon] – éirígí
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080601043640/http://workerspartyireland.net/lisbon.html Lisbon – A Treaty Too Far] – Workers' Party

Groups

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080407212755/http://www.caeuc.org/ Campaign Against the EU Constitution]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090626042437/http://www.lisbonvote.com/ Cóir – Lisbon Treaty No Campaign]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080505122118/http://www.yestolisbon.ie/ Yes to Lisbon] – Irish Alliance for Europe
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080421172724/http://www.libertas.org/content/view/191/110/ No to Lisbon campaign] – Libertas
• [http://www.no2lisbon.wordpress.com Vote No to Lisbon Treaty – People Before Profit]
• [http://www.people.ie Peoples' Movement]
• [http://www.voteno.ie VoteNo.ie]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080528075812/http://www.wsm.ie/voteno Vote No – Workers Solidarity Movement]

Articles

• [https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/press/press-releases/press-release/pid/a-no-vote-in-ireland-would-be-disastrous-for-europe A "no" vote in Ireland would be disastrous for Europe.] Spotlight Europe, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 15 May 2008.

{{Amendments of the Constitution of Ireland}}

{{Topics on the Treaty of Lisbon|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Twenty-Eighth Amendment Of The Constitution Bill 2008}}

Category:2008 elections in Europe

Category:2008 in international relations

Category:2008 in Irish law

Category:2008 in Irish politics

Category:2008 referendums

Category:2008 in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Euroscepticism in Ireland

28

28

Ireland, 28

Category:Treaty of Lisbon

Category:June 2008 in Ireland

Amendment, 28, 2008

es:Referéndum sobre el Tratado de Lisboa en Irlanda