THE Yes and No sides
are responding this afternoon to the emerging
results of the Fiscal Treaty referendum showing that
Ireland has voted in favour of the treaty.
However, both Donegal constituencies rejected the
treaty overall, going against the national trend
once again in an EU referendum.
Donegal North East had a total poll of 24,869 votes
cast out of an electorate of 58,387 (42.6% turnout).
There were 136 invalid votes making a total valid
poll of 24,733. Of these 10,975 voted in favour and
13,758 voted against.
Donegal South West had a 41.9% turnout. Of the
63,127 electorate, 26,465 people voted while 137 of
these were invalid. This made a total valid poll of
26,328. Of this, 14,466 voted No while 11,862 voted
Yes.
North and West MEP Marian Harkin welcomed the
overall Yes vote saying it bought time for Ireland
to "secure vitally necessary concessions including a
deal on promissory notes".
“Ireland’s debt position must now be dealt with in
the context of changing attitudes in EU capitals.
Europe-wide calls for a greater emphasis on growth
grow louder by the day, and the evolving treatment
of Spain and Greece clearly means that Ireland,
having now enshrined the discipline of the Fiscal
Treaty in its constitution, must be given a fresh
hearing," said Ms Harkin.
She added: "I profoundly disagree with those on the
'no' side who claimed that rejecting the Treaty
would give us more leverage for negotiating with our
EU partners. In fact, I believe that this result -
which represents a re-affirmation of Ireland's
belief in European values and the single European
currency - will be our greatest negotiating asset
when we next sit down to resolve our shared issues.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin finance spokesman, Deputy
Pearse Doherty welcomed Donegal's majorityNo vote.
“I am very proud of the people of Donegal today, who
have stood strong and given a clear message to this
Government that they have had enough of austerity.
"Donegal has suffered terribly as a result of the
austerity policies of the past four years and it was
anticipated from the outset that the people of this
county would not accept the terms of this Treaty.
"I would ask the Government to consider the fact,
that across the country, hundreds of thousands of
people have voted No to this treaty and in doing so
have rejected the failed policies of austerity,"
said Deputy Doherty. |
