The result of the Nice Treaty referendum ensures that Ireland remains at the heart of Europe, where it belongs, the Taoiseach said last night.
Speaking in Dublin Castle immediately after the result was announced, he said the "truly historic enlargement of the European Union" could now go ahead. "We can work to welcome our new partners in 2004 during Ireland's presidency of the European Union," he said, adding that the decision showed Ireland remained "strongly committed to the European Union, that we fully realise and accept that what is good for the people of Europe is good for the people of Ireland". Ireland wanted to welcome the peoples of the applicant states into the EU "with open hearts and open minds".
Mr Ahern said he believed the campaign had been won because the Government had done thorough research into why people voted No last time. This had led to the setting up of the Forum on Europe, changes in how the Oireachtas dealt with EU legislation, and the Seville declarations on neutrality in order to address the main public concerns.
Asked how much of a role the public's hostility to the Government over the economy and the Flood tribunal report had come through during the campaign, he remarked: "I canvassed as much since September 1st on this as I did during the general election campaign and as you can see I have no scars."
He said he recognised there were genuine concerns abut how the EU operated, and that he would continue to look at ways to ensure the Irish were better informed about it. "We must now ensure that our original enthusiasm for the great European project is rebuilt."
The Forum on Europe would continue its work, while in the ongoing Convention on the Future of Europe the Government would seek to ensure that the EU became closer to its citizens. "In the Oireachtas we will also make every effort to ensure that the parliamentary scrutiny measures which have been put in place are effective."
He paid tribute to the Opposition, the Alliance for Europe, the trade union movement, employers' organisations and others from civil society who had campaigned for a Yes vote.
"At a time when many have turned away from active political participation this has been a genuinely good experience and I pay tribute to all those who gave so unselfishly in this effort."