Sarkozy launches ‘charm offensive’ but appears to be listening – De Búrca
The Green Party’s European Affairs spokesperson Senator Déirdre de Búrca said that the President of the European Council Nicolas Sarkozy launched a ‘charm offensive’ when he met with representatives of the Yes and No sides of the Lisbon Treaty campaign in the French Embassy yesterday.
“I was struck by the fact that President Sarkozy spent a lot of the time with us winning us over and being very personable and good-humoured,” said Senator De Búrca. “He made a particular effort with those who were critical of him and seemed to soften his message a lot during the course of the meeting.”
“I must say that he did appear to listen carefully to all that was said to him and to take our concerns on board. I was pleasantly surprised, as I was expecting him to be quite different.”
“As European Affairs Spokeperson for my Party, I emphasised a number of points to President Sarkozy during my meeting with him. Firstly I stressed the importance of fully respecting the vote of the Irish people in the recent Lisbon Treaty referendum. Secondly I emphasized the need for the Irish Government to take the time to research and fully establish the range of issues that contributed to the No vote. And thirdly I explained that following the identification of those issues, the Government needs to have the flexibility to decide on the most appropriate course of action in trying to respond to those issues. ”
“I also emphasised to President Sarkozy the importance of the Irish Government taking the time it needs to pursue its chosen course of action, without deadlines or timetables being set for it which may not be helpful in the longer term. ”
“The Green Party believes that this opportunity for direct dialogue with the current President of the European Council following the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty was very helpful. It would appear that President Sarkozy did so also, and hopefully this will result in the other EU Member States playing a constructive role in helping
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Senator Deirdre de Burca ■ (086) 806 14 50
