Collective Responsibility

With the end of the Lisbon Treaty referendum arriving yesterday, we must look ahead to the future of our country.

Many prominent Lisbon supporters were quick to voice their disappointment at the rejection of this treaty on Friday. Dermot Ahern highlighted his own concerns that Europe was now facing "uncharted waters". However, while our political future is unknown, our democratic system is certainly secure.

This security does not come from any specific referendum issue and is certainly not a result of the rejection of Lisbon. Instead, it comes from the democratic process we have in place. While we may not agree with the outcome of a vote, it is essential that we stand by our system and recognise that the voice of the electorate must be followed. It is a testament to this country that all political figures have already recognised and stressed the importance of this collective responsibility.

However, it is a shame that this praise cannot be extended to the European Union in general. Many prominent E.U. supporters have begun to vilify the Irish as anti-European and anti-reform. These are the same leaders who decided that Lisbon can only be accepted if ratified in all member states. Consequently, it is the duty of European leaders to recognise that collective responsibility must be practiced on an international level, not just a domestic one.

We have collectively rejected this treaty. We must now collectively decide on a way forward.

-The English Student