Description

In the immediate aftermath of Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, the reaction of European leaders was uniform but reserved. Dignitaries such as British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed their disappointment at the result, but spoke of their respect for the Irish people and a belief that their wishes should be accepted and understood. In private, no doubt, their sentiments were less gratifying. Through careful dissection of the historical, social and political context, Shane Griffin attempts to explain the motives behind Ireland's shocking and unexpected decision, which temporarily derailed the European project in June 2008.