All you no-sayers, are you sure you want a Europe with borders, long lines at custom points and different currencies. ????? Where it takes you half a day to get to another country??? Like it is with the little Englander-country???? Most of the people voting have no idea.

rose, Brussels,

...the army, while the Germans were kept (quite comfortably) in POW camps. The only reason Ireland did not join into WWII is that the fragile Irish economy, infrastructure and population would not have lasted an intensive bombing campaign by the Germans, it was self-survival only

AnneMarie, Cork,

Kaletsky is right. The Irish have stripped away all the EU's pretence at democracy or listening to its people. As politicians squirm again to try to force their viewpoint, many voters recall Britain and France also reneged on a popular vote, pretending the "Treaty" was different! Oh, yes?.

J. Baggaley, Nicosia,

It seems now that the Austrian Leaders didn't read it either. Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer has said that his government wants a referendum if the EU's Lisbon Treaty is modified in any way. Silly man if he'd read it he'd know it's self-amending so will be modified as and when the EU dictate

Susie, W Midlands, uk

I believe that a strong cooperation based on sound institutional grounds is the only way euro countries can survive in a world that in 2050 will be dominated by superstates like China, India, Russia, Brazil and the US. Do you really believe that little Britain will have a voice alone? Delusional

Horace, Firenze (Florence), Tuscany, Italy, EU

"The illegal they'll do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer".

Michael Phillips, Dundee,

L. Hughes, Bucks County, PA, USA:

The Irish didn't fight in World War II, they were neutral, in fact they even made plans with Hitler to form an alliance and use Irish soil to stage an invasion of Britain, which fortunately never came to fruition. Bet that doesn't sit well with you does it?

J Roberts, Manchester, UK

The EU will offer them a sweeter deal, and the Irish people will accept the revised version of the treaty, which is what they were angling for with the first rejection. They're a canny bunch, the Irish.

In the end, it'll still be Britain that makes the stand-if Britain still stands for anything.

Anth, Walsall, UK

More likely to be bribery than bullying. If the Irish play it right they could likely extort several billion euros of promises from the EU mafia courtesy of European taxpayers.

Mike, Wednesbury,

Anatol Kaletsky Full marks for your excellent journalism. I have read your article more than five times, as i find it to be very informative. i shall be looking forward for you opinion of The Lisbon Treaty. The treaty will go down to EU HISTORY wouldn't you agree with me sir? THANK YOU.

Daniel Salaman, NICOSIA, CYPRUS

In failing to commit to a democratic process throughout successive treaty amendments, the EU has produced the seed for its own failure in the long run. Europeans will say No, at the next opportunity to vote, for no other reason than to punish our politicians lack of open democracy

David Downes, Chester, UK

Living in the northwest of Ireland, clearly the persons who voted no are now expressing regret for their actions and the government will allow about a year while the choice is starkly drawn, are we in or out. No doubt you can bet the Treasury that 65% will vote in favour of staying in the EU.

Leo Regan, Sligo, Ireland

Associating an Irish "No" vote with British Euro-sceptics or the Tory party would be guaranteed way to pass the 2nd Lisbon vote. Sinn Fèin are certainly unlikely to want to share a common anti-Europe stage.

Richard, Dublin, Ireland

Most comments focus on the rights and wrongs of the Irish developments, but the comment piece accurately pinpoints the real dilemma for the EU. The deadline dictated by the last possible date for the UK General election. This is central to the urgency of the EU's approach more than anything else.

Damian Hockney, London, uk

I actually see the EU 'project' staggering on for some years to come. Even the Tories would not pull the Treaty whatever they may say in opposition. Political elites will collaborate with the EU state while the general public will grow more and more hostile. It will collapse - just not for a while.

Mark, Berkhamsted,

If we have a 2nd referendum here and the YES camp wins, that will make it 1-1. Maybe we should then have extra-time or a penalty shootout between the two factions to settle the issue. I don't think so, the Euro politicians understanding of football is the same as democracy and 1-1 is a win to them.

John, Limerick City, Ireland

I think you are all missing the point here - Ireland is not generally Eurosceptic, and there is broad support for the European project - the 'No' vote was largely a local protest vote against politicians in Ireland in the wake of scandal after scandal

Eamonn, Dublin,

"The British (after next election) and Irish fighting together for their freedom. Irony, anyone?

Graeme (in exile), Amsterdam, Netherlands"

Only if you're stuck in the past and completely ignorant of the feelings of many English people that never understood why we were there in the first place!

Alex, London,

As a democratic entity the EU has failed. The people of Europe are in thralldom to a corrupt and failed project mascarading as a democratic power. Our politicians are supine and refuse to tell the truth to their electorates. Preferring to carry out the bidding of corrupt unelected officials.

M. Butcher, W-s-M, England

Wait until the Irish say:" NO, NO, NO" on the re-run, then the earth will open up and swallow the EU whole. That is if it doesn'nt do it itself before that.

albert hall, hove, england

Surely it must be time for David Cameron to promise the people of Great Britain, if a Consevative government, is returned at the next election, a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Brown knows full well that he would certainly lose a referendum if held now. I say back the Irish for their guts!

Peter Hodge, Rolleston on Dove, UK

What about the democratic wishes of the Spanish and those in Luxembourg who both voted overwhelmingly in favour of the EU constitution? It seems to me that you voice only seems to count when you say No.

Paul, Wicklow, Ireland

As a voter who had the rare priviledge to cast a NO vote in the recent referendum I see no reason to change my opinion in the event of another referendum. To expect a nation which spent seven hundred years gaining freedom from one empire to surrender sovreignty to another is unrealistic.

Michael, dublin, ireland

I think the EU, or something comparable, is necessary for Europe to thrive and prosper in the 21st century.

What is at issue here is not the need to negotiate united gas tariffs are concerned (obvious), but whether stewardship or prison wardering is 'leadership'.

Jurgen Klinsmann as leader?

Rhys Jaggar, Leeds, UK

Conor Shanghai, Efficient?, Demorcratic?. Are you mad. These are the two words least likely to be involved in the Lisbon Treaty.
No reform of CAP
No reform of voting practices
Looks like rewarding ineffiency and the lack of democracy for the benefit of the inefficient and undemorcratic

Nick Mackenzie-Rowe, Halesowen, England

Do people realise that if the EU applied to join the EU it would not be allowed. No democracy see.
Even Iran allows elections !!

Nick Mackenzie-Rowe, Halesowen, England

Just how much more evidence do we need that we should not be members of this institutionally corrupt, terminally incompetent, anti-democratic gang of self-seeking, lying political thugs, totally determined never to take NO for an answer.

Kaletsky is wrong only in that collapse is inevitable

Idris Francis, Petersfield, UK

Big earthquake? You must be joking!
The unelected will drive the unheard, abetted by the uncaring (parliament) to the destination it has planned for us. I don't believe there is any likely change or possible escape. And yes, I'm very angry and would vote to leave the EU tomorrow.

Richard Long, Eastbourne,

Bless the irish, to be sure!

Ian Cheese, london, uk

Many of the Irish who fought in the British army in WWII were "defending the freedom of small nations" against a larger usurping force. Sound familiar? The EU is failing because it is invasive, micromanaging, and too centered on what France and Germany want. Eireann abu!

L. Hughes, Bucks County, PA, USA

I saw somewhere that 23% of the population voted no! Obviously a lot of people could be happy with the treaty but they don't think it is worth going to the polling stations for.
I see the governments defeat as a sign of politicians that are no good. It is laughable that they got beaten.

Peter, Southampton, Southampton,

Yeah yeah, heard it all before Anatole. If only any of your analysis were correct

Were you born yesterday?

Roland, Amersham,

Let's hope the Irish say "No" a second time.

But the pressure and propaganda will be huge.

Now the government is even commissioning an analysis of why the voters said "No" in a move with pretty sinister Orwellian overtones.

Whatever happens, Bruseels will keep on trying, threatening,

pat, Vienna, Austria

The EU is undemocratic, wasteful, corrupt & inefficient. No-one wanted it, it has been foisted on us. We were happy with an EEC, not an EU. Brown refuses to recognise our democratic right to a referendum, something most British people want. What is he, our MP's & MEP's afraid of??? Defeat perhaps?!

ray, leominster, england

It's hard to see to what problem the Lisbon Treaty is a solution. If the EU is working successfully, we don't need it. If the EU is failing, we don't want it.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

In a choice between abandoning trappings of statehood & demonstrating the anti-democratic nature of the EU, they will opt for the latter.The leaders of France & Germany don't give a fig for the democratic will of the people & Gordon is complicit. Keep the blarny going Ireland & then say NO again.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

The EU masters in Brussels will simply adopt the same methods as Gordon Brown used to deny the British people a REFERENDUM VOTE. They will modify the unanimous vote requirement in favour of a majority vote. The voice of the Irish people will then become as meaningless as the many voices in Britain.

Leonard, LondonEngland,

At last someone has seen the future! Of course the Irish vote changes everything but as an expat Brit living in Athens you would think the Irish hadn't voted. Greece is enmeshed in the Siemens scandal so the Irish vote is never mentioned. The EU must change or die, as is the way with all empires.

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

Everybody in europe wants to say no, but you know what will happen if they dont get the chance, a revoultion as that is the only way forward now to kick out our goverments who do not listen to us and take power our self's.

Mp's our so corrupt they now do it out in the open!

Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England

"Europe's nations should be guided towards the superstate without their people understanding what is happening. This can be accomplished by successive steps, each disguised as having an economic purpose, but which will eventually and irreversibly lead to federation." -- Jean Monnet -- 36 years ago.

Steve Webb, Southwell,

John Livesey USA

sorry John but over half of europe already voted NO and were made to go and vote again by threats and intimidation ( as usual) if ALL of europe had a vote there would only be one answer (its NOT yes) we are all for economic intrgation NOT political. the reasons are real !!!

tony, spalding, uk

What the eurocrats seem to ignore is that the only reason why Ireland are the only ones to say no is that they are the only ones who could. No other country held a referendum this time. Too risky, of course. Thank you, Irish, for saying no. Make Europe more democratic first and then ask us again.

Ed van Akkeren, Delft, Holland

I want my chance to say NO to the EU treaty. The dangers of being run by unelected bureaucrats in Brussels far out weigh any benefits that there might be. What we need now is a government that puts the British people first, and the British identity.

Chris Ashley, Ely, England

completely incorrect to say that Ireland has NOT been a net benficiary from the EU. The direct payments to farmers, training grants, infrastructure grants tell only a small tale.

More importantly, access to market of 400 million consumers that has led to the US becoing Irelands top FDI source

Conor, Shanghai,

People need to realise how small ireland is, all of econimic and political endeavours of substance are and will be done through the EU. Hence the goal has to be to make the EU as strong and effecient and democratic as possible. The treaty helped this goal but none of the voters knew it

Conor, Shanghai,

I'm getting out of Europe... it will be the first victim of this century.

Horace, Firenze (Florence), Italy

Actually Graeme, 50000 Irishmen joined the British Army in World War 2 in spite of the official neutrality of the Irish Free State. Brave men who put historical animosity aside to fight for a higher cause than mere nationalism.

Mike, Hertfordshire, England

European leaders need to think through their response very carefully. I am pro-EU but I expect leaders to accept the democratic decisions under their rules. ALL nations should be forced to have a referendum to see the true feeling on this. Withdrawal would be disastrous for all. Watch Asia!

Richard, Plymouth,

The Irish have not been net recipients of EU cash as is commonly assumed( snouts in the EU trough and all that). They have naively relinquished massive oil,gas and fishing resources on behalf of 'The Project'. Their current wealth stems from their tax haven status not EU handouts.

Ed Smullen, Athlone, Ireland

Hi all well i think a second bite at this cherry will be a bad move,as the people have spoken once,twice,and again,will make thrice.This makes me ask what are we about .

josullivan, Dublin, Ireland

Abybody who lives in London will know that the nature of the British electorate is changing. As more and more Central Europeans settle here, it becomes harder for a British government to take an anti-EU line. Try telling people who got here by virtue of a single Europe that we want to break it up..

Mark, London, UK

The end of the EU is a British dream and to think that an "X" amouth of countries will leave the Union to follow a British "opt-out" is a fantasie. If the Irish are unhappy with the EU then they should live, in another words - "take their money and run". The British should follow the lidership..

Fabio C, London, UK

But this article is right in one thing: The Irish "no" will change Europe as there will be no more enlargement until this is solved, which means, NO TURKEY. That should suite the British.

Fabio C, London, UK

the Irish economy is starved for liquidity.
Serious and dramatic changes are occuring with effects on capital construction,employment,immigration/emigration and public services.The Euro is kept tight because it suits the Germans.That disconnect is why "EUROPE" is not yet an entity and was rejected

JOHN RYAN, SOUTH DAKOTA, USA

I disagree. I think that what the stage is really set for is the acceptance of a two-speed Europe. The UK electorate will not vote for full integration, nor will they accept Brown's Parliamentary coup d'etat on Lisbon, yet we have no right to prevent other EU members integrating if they want.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

The British (after next election) and Irish fighting together for their freedom. Irony, anyone?

Graeme (in exile), Amsterdam, Netherlands