1. ‘NO’ to Nice ‘the stab in the back!’ ‘reaction to the Irish No to Nice

2. Pre-vote sentiment the Taoiseach said there would be huge disillusionment and disappointment all over Europe if the Irish people failed to back the Nice Treaty. the Taoiseach said there would be huge disillusionment and disappointment all over Europe if the Irish people failed to back the Nice Treaty. The treaty is being sold largely on the basis of giving former communist countries "the same chance we had ourselves", but this idealistic appeal has fallen on stony ground in more than a few cases. The treaty is being sold largely on the basis of giving former communist countries "the same chance we had ourselves", but this idealistic appeal has fallen on stony ground in more than a few cases.

3. Why ‘No’ to Nice A reaction against the smug assumption of domestic and European leaders that the electorate here will do what it is told and that there is no need to knock on doors or give time for a proper debate. A reaction against the smug assumption of domestic and European leaders that the electorate here will do what it is told and that there is no need to knock on doors or give time for a proper debate. (Déaglán de Breadún 11.6.01) (Déaglán de Breadún 11.6.01)

4. ‘No’ to Nice Prodi: President of the EU Commission Prodi: President of the EU Commission he had come to see that the reasons for the No vote were rooted in what he termed identity. "The great desire is for identity... the sense that the people and the country must not lose their roots," (IT 25.6. 01) he had come to see that the reasons for the No vote were rooted in what he termed identity. "The great desire is for identity... the sense that the people and the country must not lose their roots," (IT 25.6. 01)

5. Outcome of vote in Ireland On Nice Treaty 53.87 per cent of votes were against amending the constitution to ratify the treaty. 53.87 per cent of votes were against amending the constitution to ratify the treaty. 453,461 people voted Yes, while 529,478 voted No. 14,887 votes were spoiled. 453,461 people voted Yes, while 529,478 voted No. 14,887 votes were spoiled. second lowest referendum turnout in the State's history. Turnout in urban areas, especially Dublin, was higher than the rest of the country. second lowest referendum turnout in the State's history. Turnout in urban areas, especially Dublin, was higher than the rest of the country. 33% of the electorate ( 18% of the ellectorate voted NO) 33% of the electorate ( 18% of the ellectorate voted NO)

6. Reaction: EU Commissioner Mr David Byrne: EU Commissioner Mr David Byrne: today's result showed "we all need to do more to explain what is taking place in the EU and to have a greater involvement of the public in the debate on the future direction of the Union.“ today's result showed "we all need to do more to explain what is taking place in the EU and to have a greater involvement of the public in the debate on the future direction of the Union.“ (IT Piaras Murphy 2001) (IT Piaras Murphy 2001)

7. European Newspapers "No from Ireland has consequences for all of Europe," Sueddeutsche Zeitung. "No from Ireland has consequences for all of Europe," Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

8. Reaction from applicant states Slovakia have joined other disappointed EU hopefuls in saying Ireland's vote against treaty was bad for Europe and would complicate the Union's plans for expansion. Slovakia have joined other disappointed EU hopefuls in saying Ireland's vote against treaty was bad for Europe and would complicate the Union's plans for expansion. "The Foreign Ministry considers the result of the Irish referendum as not good news for Europe," the ministry said in a statement. "The Foreign Ministry considers the result of the Irish referendum as not good news for Europe," the ministry said in a statement.

9. Reaction to government campaign "weak and incoherent, relying almost completely on a media campaign and there was virtually no campaign on the ground to highlight the merits of the treaty and the benefits of enlargement.“ (Jim O’Keefe, Fine Gael director of elections) "weak and incoherent, relying almost completely on a media campaign and there was virtually no campaign on the ground to highlight the merits of the treaty and the benefits of enlargement.“ (Jim O’Keefe, Fine Gael director of elections)

10. What rejections means? the rejection of the Nice Treaty by Irish voters is a more serious setback than the 1992 rejection of the Maastricht Treaty by Danish voters. (DerekSally,Berlin IT 2001) the rejection of the Nice Treaty by Irish voters is a more serious setback than the 1992 rejection of the Maastricht Treaty by Danish voters. (DerekSally,Berlin IT 2001)

11. The ‘arguments’ FOR Democracy rules at heart of EU Rory O'Donnell argues that the EU's democratic structure strengthens the case for a Yes vote in tomorrow's referendum on the Treaty of Nice. 06/06/01: Democracy rules at heart of EU Rory O'Donnell argues that the EU's democratic structure strengthens the case for a Yes vote in tomorrow's referendum on the Treaty of Nice. 06/06/01: Many citizens feel they do not quite understand how the European Union works. This uncertainty has been skillfully exploited to suggest that the complexity of the EU is deliberately constructed to camouflage its hidden agenda. Many citizens feel they do not quite understand how the European Union works. This uncertainty has been skillfully exploited to suggest that the complexity of the EU is deliberately constructed to camouflage its hidden agenda. The reverse is the case. The complexity of the EU is reassuring. It is the agenda of those opposing the treaty which is hidden. The reverse is the case. The complexity of the EU is reassuring. It is the agenda of those opposing the treaty which is hidden.