EUROPEAN INTEGRATION:IRELAND IS facing the "most crucial decision in international affairs in its history" in the Lisbon Treaty referendum, according for former EU commissioner Peter Sutherland.
The former attorney general and current chairman of BP and Goldman Sachs said he did not believe the European integration process would stop if Ireland voted No. "I can't believe that a way will not be found to proceed and if a way is found to proceed, how can Ireland, having said no, be part of it?" he asked.
Mr Sutherland said that the rest of the EU would not simply "tear up the treaty and forget about it. That's unrealistic.
"They're not going to give this up. It's a hard-won compromise and I'd be amazed if the rest simply say 'that's fair enough, that's the end of it', which seems to be the impression that is out there."
The Irish people had to decide whether they accepted the views of every party in the Dáil except Sinn Féin, all the business and farming organisations and the trade unions and the views of all the parliaments in Europe or to agree with Sinn Féin and Libertas.
"The consequence of going another way is real and we have to grow up and recognise that it's real."
Mr Sutherland stressed Ireland "is going to have to think very carefully and I don't think the consequences of a No vote are being properly understood".
It was not inevitable that Ireland would be out of the EU, but "I don't know how you can change the voting system within the European Union for everybody except Ireland. It doesn't make logical sense and that's the real worry."
Mr Sutherland was speaking at a Fine Gael press conference in Dublin at which party leader Enda Kenny warned that a Yes vote was "absolutely essential for the continued success of the Irish economy". Mr Kenny said Ireland had to decide "do we want to be a big player or a bit player".
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton said it was vital for Ireland to "stay inside, shaping the economic climate. If you say No you are opting to stay out, not to shape those forces that will ultimately have a huge impact on business".
Asked about the possibility of a second referendum for Ireland, Mr Sutherland said "the Taoiseach has said we won't have a second vote. I don't see how you can have a second vote. The last time in the Nice Treaty there were at least some changes. I can't see that happening and as the Taoiseach has said it's inconceivable."
He also said: "I laugh when I see posters about losing our commissioners." Germany "with 82 million people has agreed precisely the same sacrifice as we have or that France has or that Britain has.
"When I became a commissioner there were two German, two French, two British, two Italian commissioners. They've reduced themselves to exactly the same as ourselves now."
It was "inconceivable" that the treaty could be renegotiated or amended. "In any event it is far from clear as to what we would want to amend because the only things that are complained about don't exist", including harmonised taxation and neutrality being affected.
