How can Europe criticize Mugabe when it ignores the votes of its own people?

Des Byrne, Aberdeen, Scotland

If Ireland sticks to it's guns it will be the most populated country in the EU, most of England will be going there, I'm packing now.

peter reddington, leeds, UK

I was extremely disappointed with the outcome of this vote. I asked my parents how they voted and they said they voted "No". When I asked why, the said they didn't understand it and when Cowan said he didn't read the treaty they basically said no way. Great sales job Fianna Fail.

stephen, Miami, USA

The attitude of the European élite to the Irish people's decision only shows yet again precisely why the Irish were right to vote no. All true Europeans should continue to say no until this arrogant, self-righteous élite realises that its unilateral vision of Europe is not wanted.

Jeremy Drake, Norwich, United Kingdom

Joachim old bean; I have read the turgid treaty and it appears that the Political elites want to create a nation called Europe, own police, Army, ambassadors etc, an end to common law and Parliamentary freedoms. The Irish thought the same and said....NO!
I don't want to live in your EUSSR.

John, Wolverhampton,

The Dictatorship of Europe is preparing to coerce the Irish leaders into having a second Referendum: but this time the threats will be made clearer. Give us the 'wrong' answer and you'll pay a price. This is a despicable piece of bullying & indicates that democratic nations need to beware of the EU.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Under European law the Treaty cannot go through unless all member states ratify it. Why is Britain wasting Parliamentary time by putting it through the Lords? This is like the Monty Python 'dead parrot' sketch - life is now imitating art.

Simon Byrne, Dublin, Ireland

What is so difficult about the word NO, can,t Brussels understand it, are they too stupid or is it a word that only politicians are allowed to use. Gordon says NO to a referendum and we the citizens of U:K: understand all too well what it means, also the difference between democracy and dictatorship

David, Helsinki, Finland

Why bully the good Irish People for voting against the shambolick EU system that going to further speed up the errosion of theirs and our freedoms/civil liberties?...The Good Irish people said no as did other countires before them! Therefore no further bribery/bullying by EU despotism No Sir!

Stan, Scunthorpe, England...UK

also, i seem to remember that one of the major reasons for denying us a referendum was that should we vote no, it would derail the whole system?? i guess that was just one of many lies spun. Clearly, in the the non democratic world of the EU, no actually means yes.

Paul, london,

Irish Goverment making excuses for why we voted NO,saying we voted NO for the wrong reasons,or that the NO campaigners told lies.Where there own case was built on trust me Im a Politician,and I would say a big majority of the yes vote was based on that basis.I voted on the information we were given.

Eamonn Freeman, Nenagh, Ireland

This kind of reaction has meant that a lot of people that were yes voters are actually happy this was not passed.
If this was put to the people again right now it would be defeated by an ever larger margin. It smacks of power-hungry bureaucrats not caring about what the people actually want.

Fergus, Dublin, Ireland

lisbon treaty means more democracy in EU than now. it's not enough, but a step forward. for all eurosceptics: to play a role in world politics, you need Europe. And a strong Europe needs Britain as strong partner and big leader. For the Irish: Read the treaty, try to unterstand it, vote yes.

Joachim Vogt, Schweinfurt, Germany

Dear Mr Brown, which part of NO, do you not understand?
The populations of most European countries want NO part of this nonsense, it benefits only dishonest politicians and is unaffordable to those of us who are having to foot the bill.

Clive Burghard, LANCING, ENGLAND

I still await the reasons for an EU super state to be articulated.

I remember a short booklet (c 1922) titled 'the senior captain's advice to the young subalton' One of the lines read - 'We rarely ask for you reasons in writing unless we suspect you haven't got any.'

You haven't have you?

Geoff, Sydney,

The Irish vote was democracy in action. The attempts to sidestep (or jackboot) the result can only demean Europe. The problem is not the Irish but the manifest undemocratic & self-serving instincts of Europe's leaders. A simple and HONEST treaty should now be put to ALL the people of Europe.

Bill, Suzhou, China

Nice to see that democracy still exists, but why only in ireland. Would a country have another referendum in a years time if this bill was passed. Sounds like double standards to me.

Phil, Melbourne, Australia

Oh dear Ireland.
You'll have to vote and vote again until you get the 'right answer' won't you.
Our un-democratic EU overlords have spoken!

When's our referendum then Gordon?

Ethan, nr dole farm, UK