David Miliband

Ireland: 13 weeks on

Last Wednesday’s publication of the Irish government (but independently conducted) survey of Irish opinion on the Lisbon Treaty provided a good backdrop to my visit on Thursday, to meet Ministers, businessmen and NGOs, and to talk with a wide spectrum of Dublin opinion at their Mansion House

The results in the polling show higher than average support for the EU, more people saying they did not know the contents of the Treaty (42% of No Votes), and a lot of concern about national issues like abortion and conscription.  The basics of the situation have not changed: if the Irish do not pass the Treaty it does not become law; it is up to the Irish what to do next; five other countries are still in the process of ratification; and European leaders will discuss next steps following a report from the Irish Prime Minister in October.

But the striking thing about the maturing debate in Dublin is that fundamental issues about Ireland and its future as well as Europe and its future are emerging.  There will be debates in a new parliamentary committee.  But Ireland is facing the challenge of global economic uncertainty as an open economy – like the UK.  And the Irish want a European Union that supports Irish development.  The opportunity that arises is to update Ireland’s vision of its own future and Europe’s.

For the UK, that strengthens the core argument for a global European role – on issues like energy, security and defence, climate change and trade.  This is not an alternative to internal policy reform – on the single market or the budget.   It’s an essential counterpart of the global vision.

Posted at 17:00 15 September 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[6]