The fact that the Euro Politicans ignore 495 Millon people on such importand issues says all about their democratic values.

Well done Ireland.

W.Steven, Calgary, Canada

It's fascinating that across Europe people are unable to directly vote for this Treaty...leaving such a key decision in the hands of officials. It's a rather strange form of democracy, methinks. Three cheers for the plucky Irish!! Good show!!

Rob, San Francisco, USA

Where was "LISBON GIRL". ?Give us somthing to vote yes to !
Look what OBAME Girl did for Obama !
Anyway this is what you get when you give women the vote!
If Europe wont support Our (Eurovision ) Turkey , then why should we support yours?
Sex it up a little !

Owen, Dublin, Ireland

Nobody can, without commiting a crime by the Law of Nations take away Sovereignty from a Nation.That is the Fundamental
of the UN a very old principle of International Law. The independence and equal right of Nations,big or small. Written
in the 1st Article of the UNO Charter - Cannot be ignored.

Rosey McPherson, Auchterarder, Scotland

This is similar to Denmark voting on whether to join the Euro currency union (which is separate from the EU membership). When people voted NO on this question some years ago, the government planned on having a new vote again. If people would have voted YES, no 2nd voting would have been planned.

Jarmo J, Lausanne, Switzerland

Seems fair to me !
Why should i not have my say , even if 495 million cant.
Its tough at the top !
If France & Germany and all those other Forieners want to leave our EEC and start there own club , well thats there business !
They all seemed so keen on one Europe only a few days ago!
Ah Well

Owen, Dublin, Ireland

Almost everybody makes the same comment is anybody in the government listening at all. Come on Gordon Brown let us decide and then pack your bags,

Tony , Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Hooray for Ireland. Isn't it funny how the overloads’ act and react when they don't get their way? First they seem shocked, then they are frustrated, then angry, and finally they suggest the people don't know what is good for them so they remove the peoples vote.

Randy, South Jordan, USA

The people have spoken, like it or not!

Mr. Davis, Houston, USA

This Lisbon treaty is 350 pages of complex legal language. It is nbot a treaty or constitution, it is an operations manual. The US constitution plus amendments is 6 pages long and written in plain English. 6 pages sounds about right to me.

D Nick Ashley, Huntingdon, England

God Bless Ireland. I am sure that the people of the UK would overwhelmingly vote against the Lisbon treaty. Oh now I remember, the politicians in Britain blocked the people's right to vote. I think I smell the seeds of a Dictator within the pages of this treaty. God Bless freedom for all people.

Dennis Horner, Lancaster, U.S.A.

I am not sure what the "EU" is but can you please send us some food and cheap gas here in the USA? It seems some hidden world-federalists disguised as corrupt politicians are trying to break us to the point of begging for our own "Security, Peace and Posperity Partnership" with Canada and Mexico...

Mike, Jax,FL, USA

I don't think that it is wise for each polity to give up their different identities. The whole strength of nation state is their diversity and centralised political power will do nothing to assist this. The movement of the United States from a republic to a democratic empire is a case in point.....

Robert Wearne, Far North Queensland, Australia

I am glad that the Irish voted no. Funny how the right to choose has been denied to the majority of the United Kingdom, yet each time the referendum was held, the results were an emphatic no. I wonder what would happen if the vote were put to the Scots, Welsh and English.

Lucy, London, UK

If the EU is so democratically minded why so much effort to keep the decision making process from as many Europeans as possible?

Looks like a large order of baloney with a side of flimflam.

Denny Meredith, Louisville, USA

the project of the globalists is dead ,illuminattis go get a life

poronga, addis abebba,

Democracy is not only about listening to what people say and making an alibi out of it. It's also about having good leadership. After all, Hitler came to power by winning elections. So, there can be a case of having bad leadership and "irresponsible crowd", and I think that's what we see in Ireland.

Petar, Belgrade,

Reading through these comments I understand that you didn´t comprehend the treaty. I have probably not seen that many mistakes since primary school. The EU is vital for Europe and the new treaty will indeed make it more democratic. Those who do not want it should leave.

David, Bereldange, Luxembourg

In response to 'Phil de Buquet', Newport, I'd say it was quite clear by now that the enemy is the people.

Susan, London,

It is surprising that M.Gorbachev was puzzled by the apparent determintion of Western European leaders to recreate the Soviet Union. After all, the EU in all it's previous incarnations has always been dominated by failed left wing socialists whose various causes were bankrolled by the Soviets.

Ali D., St Helier, JERSEY

If and when the Conservatives are returned to power, they can set the EU superstate project back even further by disobeying existing EU legislation and if necessary witholding our payments to the EU and withdraw from ECJ. What will they do? Kick us out? Fine. Not trade with us? I don't think so!

Stewart, London,

Peace, prosperity, protection, strength??? Maybe, maybe not, but protection??? - only the UK and USA can be relied on in this regard, although health and safety will probably ban the military soon. What next - no more driving on the left? No to EU bureaucracy.

Bryan, Swindon, UK

It seems that quite a lot of readers are misinterpreting the the Irish NO vote. The vast majority of Irish who voted NO [including myself] do not fall into the Euro-sceptic category. In fact, most Irish are very keen to be part of a DEMOCRATIC Europe where the individual's voice/vote is respected.

Dave Murray, Dublin, Ireland

The idea behind the Lisbon treaty is understandable, an equal field in terms of politics, the economy and business. Yet I believe a centralised power system is essentially flawed due to the complex needs of each individual country; I am against this treaty and only wished we had a vote.

Ross, Guildford,

The treaty's aim was to strengthen the parliament, and to introduce majority votes on some issues. The competences were supposed to be clearer between EU and the nations.

Sounds like the Irish voted against more democracy, and that for the whole Europe. Thanks Ireland!

Jack Jackson, Wick, Vaporub

Am I glad I voted no.Sarkozy,s arrogance in referring to Irish democracy as a hiccup simply validates those who sent these politicos back to the drawing table.But this time come up with an EU wide referendum, and the hiccup will really stop you in your tracks mr Sar-cozy.

Laurence, kilkenny, Ireland

I read the treaty and while I cannot undestand it all, because that was deliberate, what I did understand made me want to vote no, of course I will never get the chance. I may want a united Europe, but I do not want the EU.

David, Lyon, France

Isn't it funny that the negative comments about the Irish results come from French citizens. Have they forgotten that their own country rejected the European constitution?

Maybe that's why Sarkozy wants a Medeterranean Union (EU Mk II) more countries to fund French domestic pork barrel politics.

Kieron, London, UK

Brown should hang his head in shame - it took the Irish to throw this slight of hand legislation out and save us from more Brussels meddling. Meanwhile our unelected PM was busy telephoning Brussels to say we still want the treaty we were denied a vote on! Bring on the general election

Steve, Hereford, Herefordshire

How about Europe does a 'Mugabe' by pretending the Irish vote didn't happen, waiting a month and then going ahead as planned.

Alasdair, Canterbury, UK

The fight for Democracy has just begun. Greece gave us democracy but the mainland European preference is for autocracy and totalitarianism. This self serving mob who have insidiously taken control of our institutions will not give up easily. They' ll use the interventionist army to quell dissent.

Akbar, Cambridge, UK

Congratulations to the good people of Ireland who had enough common sense to vote against this foolish treaty.

Too bad the rest of Europe isnt so bright.

Dick Johnson, Glastonbury, USA

A very large majority in Europe is in favour of the EU and wants closer integration.

I do not know any Eurosceptic on this side of the North Sea.

So, accept this and cooperate or get out alltogether.

Suggest a Referendum in the UK:

IN or OUT

Adriaan

Adriaan van der Sluijs, Schilde, Belgium

Stopping the ratification of the treating would certainly please the anti-europeans of all kind but it would be ignoring the fact (and the vote!) of the 18 states which have already ratified it. May I remind that some countries (e.g. Germany, Spain) have already vote Yes to Europe twice in 3 years!

Florent, London, UK

The sensible course should allow to join whoever wants ro join, and keep out anyone who does not wish to join. This is democracy, and the Irish should be respected for their choice and stay out.

D.Jakubowicz, Herzlia,

The real issue is that the economic part of the EU is far more advanced than the political.

Why not see the failure of the Lisbon treaty as a chance to create true European democracy instead of the bureaucracy we have today?

Simone, Bonn,

490+ million other members of the EU did indeed vote. They elected their governments.

I'm sorry that the Irish have been hoodwinked by a few vocal isolationist politicians, but this was the best chance for an EU structure to be determined by elected rather than unelected politicians.

Leon Wolfeson, Oxford, UK

..and so should Brown be finished for depriving the UK people of a democratic vote on the EU treaty as the majority of Brits did not want it only the "numheads" Thank heaven for the Irish

I.Kemp, Nahariya, Israel

There is 3.1 Million Children living in poverty in Britain, we are about to spend 100 Million tp protect G W Bush the most unpopular Dictator in American History. The big Tax give away to MEP in Europe to fiddle their expence unaccountable to no one. And in the future it will be pointless to vote.

daphne kenward, Cambridge, UK

I fear the irish no to the treaty really meant a no to a politically united Europe. Already the divisive forces in Europe feel strengthened. A politically weak Europe in which every member has its own policy will not be able to deal efficiently with issues such as environmentalism or globalisation.

Peter, London,

'Yes to Europe -No to Lisbon' would be the belief of many like me in Ireland. The treaty should have been put to all the Electorate in Europe the 'we know best attitude'of politicians in other countries says alot about them and much about the people they represent who have allowed this to happen.

Phil C, Munster, Ireland

Thank God for Ireland.The sooner the E.U. is scrapped the better.The only people who want it are the corrupt lot running it.

Derek Lench, stoke-on-trent, England

I haven't seen a single newspaper article which has linked to the English language version of the treaty. Two phrases used are a "common defence policy" and a "common immigration policy" which disregards religion, nationality, or ethnicity. Both of these work against low taxation economies.

Michael, Edinburgh,

"The most puzzling development during the last decade is the apparent determination of western European leaders to recreate the Soviet Union".

M. Gorbachev.

Stan ex-London, USA, USA

Look ! The EU didn't bring peace to Europe, it was NATO ! In the beginning the Common Market gave us trade with western European countries, together NATO and CM. Why do we need an army if the 27 countries are living together in peace? Is the enemy Russia ? Is it China ? Who is the enemy ? The EU ?

Phil de Buquet, Newport,

About time that Brown developed a backbone and pulled the plug on the treaty.

Hamad Lone, London, England

It seems to me that from what I've read, any time the people of Europe have had a chance to vote on anything EU-related, they've said 'no' and voted it down! It makes me wonder under what authority the EU operates in the first place.

gb, Austin, USA

I don't understand what happened to the UK and Ireland, perhaps that's a historic problem. what UK has done for Ireland and what Ireland has done for UK. It's not pretty significant.

cristiano, Wuhan, China

Astonishing...every single member of the EU, bar a few, fought for the freedom of their own countries from oppression. Govts. insulted the people who died fighting for these very freedoms and grossly insulted the intelligence of European citizens by denying them the vote. result 0
Respect Ireland

Lianne (IRE), Zh, Switzerland

I need my hearing to be checked asap; on the evening of the referendum result, the French president said on TV and I quote ' that he has just spoken on the phone with gordon Brown and he gave hime his entire support to go ahead with the Lisbon treaty' .
someone is lying .....

mark, london ,

Francois, Paris: The Treaty was deliberately written so that it is almost impossible to understand. The Irish PM admitted he hadn't read it either. Reading it or not has nothing to do with the Irish result. The people of the EU don't want further integration; they want a common market and self rule.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

You have to love some of our european friends in france and germany. instead of respecting the democrat process, we get isolated. we are being made into the "jews" of europe for not accepting Old Europe treaty. thank god old europe/EU can't win wars

Auf Wiedersehen

Irish Voter who voted NO, KERRY, IRELAND

Francoise says "we cannot let an irresponsible crowd decide for the future of Europe!"

Is it irresponsible to allow a country to decide democratcally?

If the EU is against democracy, you can keep it!

Clearly the French have forgotten why they they became a republic.

KM, London, UK

Dirk: "[W]hy [do] you think finishing the treaty is such a triumph if you're not even living in the EU?"

It interests us because we have the same problem in North America: a corrupt, ever more unaccountable elite bent on the "breaking of nations" for their own benefit, the people be damned.

Rohan Swee, Virginia, USA

I used to like the idea of a combined Europe, until I saw all the Poles,Romanians.Bulgarians,Albanians etc etc coming and taking all our jobs. Now I hope the EU is finished and we can go back to the great times before the EU. Lets join forces with countries like Ireland and other "No" voters.

Kevin, London, UK

"Asked if he read the treaty, he answered "no". ... we cannot let an irresponsible crowd decide for the future of Europe!...francois, paris"

Francois - the poliiticians made the treaty deliberately unreadable, so they could say "oh, too complex for you, just trust me to sign you up to it"

NO!

Clive, Surrey,

No 10 saying privately the Treaty is dead, only pressing on with ratification because "it's come this far" — insults our intelligence. Blair's supposed "period of reflection" after Dutch/French 'No' votes didn't stop pro-Treaty elite votes pushing on. EU zealots —face reality, or face worse reality.

Pete, London, United Kingdom

pascal, Dinan, European Union (France)
well thats democracy (Ireland was the only country that asked the people the other 495 citizens wern't asked, they were Dictated to!
Why do you think the other 495 million people weren't asked? could it be because they would have sent a no message too?

bert, somerset, ENGLAND

When is the (next) French vote?
When is the German vote?
When is the British vote (and when to confirm Greedy Gordon in his post)?

When is the Spanish re-vote? After all, they voted for a constitution but didn't get it so they surely have to vote again?

But the EU doesn't do democracy.

Christopher Wright, Newcastle,

The whole event clearly shows that Brown, Milliband, Burosso, and Sarkozy have complete and utter contempt for the people and democracy. Any power that attempts to ignore its people in such an undemocratic manner usually go on to murder the people when their power is rejected. fascists & communists.

cindy, london, UK

Dirk from Germany,

Sorry to say nobody in America is worried about Europe. Declining, aging populations that don't get along with each other let alone anybody else.

Americans are looking at China which could very well knock America of its post.

Jay , Taipei, TAIWAN

Thank God for the Irish, they may just have saved the British bacin. Wel Done! If Brown and the other leaders had done as they promised and held a referendum it would have been dead ages ago. Make referenda legally binding, it's the only way to make these arrogant liars listen to the people.

Andrew Sherriff, Milford Haven, Wales

Who is this "we don't want it" brigade?
I and many others say WE WANT AND NEED MORE EUROPE IN BRITAIN.
The Union has been a wonderful success, and it is such a shame that there are sour journalists who wish to spoil it.
Peace, Prosperity, Protection, Strength, One voice: where is the problem?

Peter GODDARD, Epsom, England, EU

Dear Rece Porter, the EC/EU was never meant to just be a free trade zone. The far-sighted leaders after WWII always saw a political entity to integrate euro-states so that the wars which have plagued us the last 2000 years would become unthinkable.

MMC, munich, germany

What is the problem with a two speed Europe ? Those who want to leave the EU have always been free to do so. Those who believe in the project should proceed. Why is the Number 10 source so keen to avoid a two speed Europe ?

francesco rizzuto, Southport,

There must be something totally wrong with our democratic understanding. Being such a vital issue for all of us, why can't all EU people directly vote on the EU treaty in a referendum except for the Irish?
The answer is clear: politicians distrust their own people.

Peter Huuck, Hildesheim, Germany

The EU are now trying to "strangle" Ireland,also making legal moves,so ignoring the "NO"vote.What part of "NO"don't they understand.
EU can't be that democratic if they ignore a countries"NO" vote.

john , shrewsbury, uk

The fertility rate of the EU is 1.47. The EU is rapidly ageing. If Israel ever fell, we would be staring this reality in the face. The Lisbon Treaty mentions "defence" around 50 times, the word "birth" zero. This equates with the loss of our Christian heritage. Our leaders have got to wake up!

John F Higgins, Sligo, Ireland

"The best solution no is a hard core EU, leaving the "nos" out."

Quite possibly, Pascal.

And God,.do I not want to be a part of It.

dr, morden,

NO to EU!!! YES to common market we dont need total intigration in all things, just trade. We need our own vote to let the politicos know we know what we want not what they want to give us.

Steve Davies, Annan Dumfriesshire, Scotland

One unintended side effect of the Lisbon Bltizkrieg seems to have been the awakening of a visceral desire for human freedom among the Europe peoples and, in that respect, the transcendent philosophical unification of its nations.
Long live Ireland.
Bosco, Bantry, Ireland

Bosco, Bantry, Ireland

One irish voter told on TV he would vote "no".When asked why, he answered because his family told him to do so. Asked if he read the treaty, he answered "no". He is surely not the only one who acted in such an irresponsible way. we cannot let an irresponsible crowd decide for the future of Europe!

francois, paris, france

A two-tier Europe with the UK in the second tier? Naaaaaaah!
Not possible.

albert hall, hove, england

What surprises me is how English people let an incompetent leader rule. Bertie Ahern's financial corruption was enough to have him resign after months. That's a direct result media pressure instigated by Geraldine Kennedy, editor of the Irish Times. Why do the people of the UK allow Brown continue?

Reuben James, Cork, Ireland

Robert: What kind of argument is this? As Brecht (ironically) said: Some party hack decreed that the people
had lost the government's confidence and could only regain it with redoubled effort. If that is the case, would it not be be simpler, If thesimply dissolved the people and elected another?

Holger, Munich, Germany

There is no need to render our EU respective constitutions for the better of us all.
Without consent of their peoples it is end of democratie for the sake of the dictate of an EU marketing club.
We have had that in the by now rennaisance past when our ancestors rendered their lives for it.

Simone, Amsterdam, Holland

Staggering, wasn't Ireland's wealth of recent decades at least
partly funded with EU money?

For the comments from US citizen's I'd like to know why you
think finishing the treaty is such a triumph if you're not even
living in the EU? Scared of a strong Europe or of America's shrinking power?

Dirk, Berlin, Germany

So Brown phones Sarkozy and tells him The UK will ratify anyway then says this oh dear more dither cant he make 1 decision and stick to it.
I want a vote and a no vote at that.

paul mitchell, Wolverhampton, England

If I were to manage this vote I would say to the voters that a no vote will mean you are out of EU. This is the only way you will get a high turnout and let them understand the consequence of a no vote, otherwise some people will treat it like voting in reality tv.

Ernest, Essex,

There seems to be an understanding that in a two tier europe the 2nd tier is somewhow second class.
Could we not perhaps view it as more a club for the grown ups leaving the 1st tier to be bossed around by a nanny establishment headed by an unelected president etc.

andy , Lyon, France

I'm also in favour of the treaty. I was always wondering about why Britain joined the EU which was fundamentally ALWAYS a political union. Concerning CH, CH is different. It's strength is its neutrality unlike the rest of Europe, inclusive Britain.
I also believe core-periphery zones are a solution.

Leo, German, Fribourg, Switzerland

The problem with a yes/no referendum is that it incites people to vote with their hearts rather than with their heads. Complex issues are reduced to mere basics that appeal more to our emotions than to a rational analysis of facts. The results must therefore be judged with the necessary caution.

Ray Massart, Hombeek, Belgium

When will these political 'dreamers' realise that if you have a grand project which seems hellbent on creating a 'country' called Europe - then you better have it's citizens on your side. We know, they know that the people do not want it and it was 'forced' through in many countires. No means No!

Richard, Cheltenham, Uk

Fine, it is a NO from Ireland. If they do not want to play who cares. Europe will do without them. It is their call. It is as simple as that. Who thinks that Europe is the only strategic perspective will go ahead.
Who wants to stay out will stay out.

Alberto, Milan, Italy

Well done to the Irish voters! This is all about the setting-up of a Federal European State run undemocratically by a self-selecting political elite with scant if any regard for the interests of the people. The referendum should have been EU-wide, and the purpose of the treaty properly explained.

Mike , Kelty, Fife, Scotland

Who is this WE DONT WANT IT brigade?
I and many others say WE WANT AND NEED MORE EUROPE IN BRITAIN.
The Union has been a wonderful success, and it is such a shame that there are sour journalists who wish to spoil it.
Peace, Prosperity, Protection, Strength, One voice: where is the problem?

Peter GODDARD, Epsom, England, EU

The democratic process in Europe is dead

david, oldham, uk

Which part off NO they don't understand in Brussels

Tony, essex, uk

Maybe the recent visit of Mugabe to Rome was to tell the Eurocrats how to discount the Irish vote. They have so much to learn from him about true democracy!

rob, ashford, kent

The problem, Pascal, is that most of the 495 million citizens do not want the treaty and are angry at their respective governments for disregarding their wishes - hardly the way a true democracy should work (and history has proven that governments do not always know what is best).

Bryan, Swindon, UK

Pascal, I'd love to see those 495 million votes that were made. When you've found them, please come back and show them to everybody. The only ones I've seen so far are those legitimate ones by the Irish people and the rest by a few Eurocrats. Are you aware of any others?

Jock, Laguna Hills, USA

I fully agree with Pascal, democracy does require a majority. It also requires a vote, and the only people who have had the freedom to vote are the Irish. They have had the opportunity to speak for the 495 million who were denied that right.

Richard, Houston,

Why does the UK Government not want to see a two speed Europe ? Ireland has voted No. Why should those States who have ratified or intend to do so, abandon the project ? Sovereignty means states retain the right to decide according to their constitutional systems. Those who want out can leave.

francesco rizzuto, Southport,

To pascal in France - I think you are missing a point Ireland is the only country to have allowed people to vote on the issue. Until the rest of the Europe is allowed to vote on the further integration of Europe then no one will be able to confirm whether a majority are for or against the treaty.

John, Cheshire, UK

So many glaring lies & deciets have had to be told to hold this EU project together to try and keep the minority on side one wonders how long it can continue. Our politicians all look liars & rip off artists & complicit when they remain silent about £150Bill missing over 13 yrs from the EU budget

Jas, Alders, UK

It is clear that the heads of governments met and agreed that a EU-wide referendum on Lisbon would result in a NO!

Only Ireland had the integrity to respect their constitution and thus their citizens and they said NO!

To continue without Ireland will result on the collapse of EU

Bring it on

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

Well done Ireland!!!
It is simply amazing that only one country was allowed
to vote! It really shows the attitude of the politicians.
Centralizing power on this scale is very dangerous.
Switch off your TV and wake up people!!!

Arthur, London, UK

The only people to vote on this are the irish electorate,the 492 million other eu citizens have been denied that.I suspect quite a few countries would have rejected this if there citizens had been allowed a vote,after all this as it emerged during the irish vote is 97% the same as Nice treaty

gerry, london, uk

Pascal Dinan as a yes voting Irishman I fully agree,the no people used a lot of scare mongering.

michael campbell, DERRY, N IRELAND

What we do want is the continuance of the old EEC arrangement for trade in Europe. Union within Europe is not necessary.

Weaver, Hong Kong,

Pascal Dinan is wrong..... Nobody has ratified the treaty because apart from the Irish nobody else has been allowed to vote on it.

DickW, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

"How can 4 million people decide for 495 million citizens?"......Behave! How can 10,000 odd well paid politians decide the fate of 450 million people? Get a life and examine your political ideas before posting nonsense on this forum.

Tony, Luton, U.K.

Pascal Dinan, European Union (France) says "How can 4 million people decide for 495 million citizens?"

He forgets that those 4 million people are the only citizens to actually be given a say. The 491 million citizens from all other countries have been given no say.

Eddie, Cheshunt, Herts

Only a corrupt EU government would attempt to impose the pre-set agenda.

martin brighton, sheffield,

Will someone clever please explain to me why the EU is in principle any different from Mugabe. Neither tolerate dissent, and neither have any interest in democracy, transparency or accountability.

rob ashton, solihull, warwickshire

In view of the ongoing lies deciept and down right dishonestry over the EU project where £150 billions of our money & trillions of the 27members money is unnacounted for over 13 yrs, Mr Davis's actions are a breath of fresh air MP's & Media are terrified about what he will say about 120,000 EUlaws

Jas, Alders, UK

The point that the politicians of all countries are 'missing' is that only Ireland had a vote. What would've been the outcome if all countries would've had a vote. My guess is a resounding NO. But then again I suspect they do miss the point only ignore it as a NO wasn't in the plan.

John, Reading, uk

Econmically, we already have a two-tier Europe. The 'one size fits all' ECB setting interest rates does not, and never will work for such diverse economies. Other aspects are also doomed to failure. Why is it that the people instinictively sense this but the politicians are completely blind to it?

Brian Roberts , Plymouth, Devon

The answer is simple - we should proceed with further and deeper political union. That was the reason the Irish rejected the treaty - it did not go far enough.

So the NO vote is really a YES vote. Problem solved, in a typical European way - and we don't even need another vote!

T Massingham, Gloucester, UK

Several current heads of government came to office with the promise, explicit or implied, that their electorate would have a referendum on the revised treaty previously rejected by France and Holland. They are now suggesting that the Irish vote is unrepresentative. So let your people vote!

Stavros, Dinan, France

The Lisbon Treaty, being a voluntary agreement isn't bound to the Irish referendum result.Neither the EU or UK , as legal "personalities", are accountable or responsible for Irelands internal constitutional affairs. It's up to the Irish to work out what they want from the EU and please let us know.

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup, UK

It has been said that in fact only some 9,225 people make the decisions for 490 million.The Irish then, have done considerably better than that..

Peter, Manchester, England

Once again the pro European politicians seem determined to casually dismiss the will of the people.."ratification will go on" etc One can just imagine the condemnation of the Irish in self interested circles.."upsetting the gravy train " etc. A referendum should be mandatory in every EU country.

Bob Fanton, Fordingbridge, UK

The UK is being dragged into an integrated europe which no one in this country wants. Isn't it about time people were give some say in this matter - before its one Treaty too far and we find we are locked in and under the control of foreign officials. well done ireland.

andy anderson, sussex, england

I love the comments of Americans saying that the governments of the EU members should have no problem letting the people vote on it. Ironically the "treaty" that created the United States also known as our Constitution was never voted on by the populace. Ironic isn't it.

Jonathan, raleigh, USA

It must clear now to anyone with eyes that Brown is afraid of the outcome of a referendum on Europe.
WE- DONT- WANT- IT!

steve, Seoul,

ROBERT, Paris. The days when the EU operated primilarly for the benefit of la belle France are over. Sad, isn't it?

Dectora, London, UK ex Ireland

VIVA the Irish !!! Over time, power concentrates. The elites who consider us common folk too unsophisticated to lead our own lives want to rule without consent. Europeans beware! The EU will be the next USSR or Fourth Reich. The Irish have shown us wisdom. Down with the NEW WORLD ORDER !!!

Peter, Los Angeles, USA

It's unfair to claim that a few million voters in Ireland thwarted the will of 500 million Europeans. First, they were the only ones who were asked. Second, the French and Dutch also said No to essentially to same proposal. The hard core EU only exists in the fantasies of Brussels bureaucrats.

Tony, Chicago, USA

As the anarchists used to say, 'if voting made any difference, we wouldn't be allowed to to it.'.

Geoff, Sydney,

Governments throughout europe denied the people the right to vote, Ireland could not be denied and sent the message for the rest of us 'NO to the Lisbon Treaty', yet the eurocrats and Brown are still pushing ahead with their plans, EU-democracy at work, time for a revolution.

Les, Southport, England

UK, and ireland go out of EU

ROBERT , PARIS,

If that treaty is a good tready and would protect your rights then each European country wouldn't be afraid to let the citizens vote.

Stuart, Leeper, U. S. of A.

Ok, mon cher Pascal, have the other 491 million vote.

Derek, Shanghai, China

As a Chinese living in the UK and often bothering with the govt's low efficiency(except collecting your council tax) and high tax rate (twice as many as China's on average), I know a united& centralized EU is good for most of the europeans but not good for China not hoping to see a EU superstate.

Ran, york, uk

The major factor in Ireland returning a resounding NO, was our entitlement to do so.

Had the Eurocrats not been forced to by dint of us having A WRITTEN CONSTITUTION, then the political pygmies would have gone ahead and sold our sovereignty downt the Liffey.

But will they listen? Another NO

Paddy Rodrigo, Dublin, Ireland

I am in favour!

alessandro, Milano, Italy

You mean he actually bothered to listen to the people? Wonders will never cease! (Or did he read my posting of yesterday?) Maybe the Queen told him she would not sign legislation which effectively signs away Britain's sovereignty! I would love to think the latter was true!

Rod Garr, Miami, USA

How on earth was a very straightforward common market/free trade area, turned into a "United States of Europe"? For once I agree with Sinn Fean, who sought independence for Ireland and now are faced with being ruled by Brussels. I don't think so!

Rece Porter, Orlando, USA

Pascal, read Bukovsky. The EU wants a superstate - EUSR - The European Union of Socialist republics. Ring any bells?
Kiss goodbye to all individual European Culture, traditions and very possibly History, where the Elite rule, the Police protect them and the people rummage around in the dirt.

Mark, London, England

Oh Pascal.

Democracy requires that 495 million citizens are given the CHOICE as to whether to sign up or not.

Few countries were given a choice. France, Holland, Ireland were given the choice, voted a big fat NO.

What do you think the other citizens would have said, if offered the choice?

Jono, London, UK

Pascal: 495 million citizens haven't decided. Only Ireland had a Referendum. If all the countries had a Referendum - as they should - then there would be a resounding majority of NO to the Treaty. The EU and the Govts of these countries should not have sought to prevent Referendums in order to win.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

If we're talking about democracy,pascal, how can a handful of unelected politicians decide for 495 million citizens that ratification should proceed?
How many of these citizens are in favour?

D.Henry, Edinburgh, Scotland UK

Face it you Eurocrats: you never expected a "No" vote. May be you should have thrown more money at the problem?

One thing is sure: Europe will not allow the result to be ignored nor dismissed as a "legal techniciality" to be side-stepped.

Jeez, what planet are you guys living on?

Edwin, Bucharest,

To pascal, Dinan, European Union (France)
'...How can 4 million (Irish) people decide for 495 million citizens? democracy requires majority and that's not majority!...'

Since when did a majority of French, or any other EU, people vote for the Treaty?. Your idea of democracy is a dictatorship.

pw, sutton, uk

It is illogical to claim that 4 million citizens cannot democratically speak for 400 million people. What happened was that only 4 million people were given the chance to vote - 400 million were not. Of those who voted, the majority said no. That's as democratic a result as EU cititizens could get.

Nickford, Beverley, East Yorks.

The treaty may be dead for the Irish but not for those who have ratified it. How can 4 million people decide for 495 million citizens? democracy requires majority and that's not majority!
The best solution no is a hard core EU, leaving the "nos" out.

pascal, Dinan, European Union (France)

Switzerland seem to have managed very well at the centre of Europe without full membership of the EEC. We should adopt their Political model of direct democracy.

Robert, Kirk Ella, Haltemprice, East Yorks.,