Without a Referendum, the British Government do not have the Authority to ratify anything, let alone a treaty that no-one appears either to have read or understand.
Most British People do not even want to join the EEC/EU or whatever it is currently masquerading as.

Clive Burghard, Lancing, ENGLAND

"4 million irishmen cannot decide for 500 million EU citizens."
I'm happy to agree with that, give the 500 m people their votes.
However, right now the treaty has to be ratified by all member states to come into force, that's the rule, mate.
Pactio olisipiensis censenda est.

Hank, Brussels, Belgium

Here in France, we are outraged by Sarkosy attitude towards Irish people. Who is this self-styled democrat who dare asking people to vote again until he gets the good answer ?
Only 30% of french people support Sarkosy by now (70% against him). This guy is the most talented lier ever, be warned !

Mathias, Nimes, France

Why are British people not allowed to vote - we have been denied a referendom - why? Are we a democracy? Are we being dictated to. Let us have our say and see what the people think, not just the MP's and some of them dont want to vote for it, but are being forced by their parties to vote against.

Jacqui, Cirencester, UK

Jusr because the result was not what they wanted - why should they have to vote again? Well then everyone should have to vote again then - this makes no sense! Only the result they want is acceptable then? Then what is the point of voting at all - DICTATORSHIP?

Jacqui, Cirencester, UK

what would Pascal-P.have said if a bunch of Brussels technocrat "politiciens" lead by Portugal's president (?) 2 yrs ago told the French people to vote again after their "No"?
I say "good-on-ye" to the Irish-the ONLY Europeans who had a say & I'd say their No meant "Give us a say in what goes on!"

Peper, Arras, France

If Ireland said NO a second time...then the others should implement a two tier EU. 4 million irishmen cannot decide for 500 million EU citizens. That's NOT democracy. Funny how people who favour the NO define democracy.

pascal-pierre, Dinan, EU( FRA)

Q's:
How many people who have commented have actually read the treaty?
What does it say that you disagree with so badly?
How is it going to affect you?

I am very naive re. Europe and only know what I have read in the British press (which is v. anti-Europe) - so just trying to find out more....

Rory, London, England

The EU, great for immigrants and Politicians, a Disaster for Europeans.

Mike, Berlin,

How long have we been telling rapists that "No means No!"?

When will the message finally filter through their twisted view of the world?

Simon, The Hague,

Perhaps Sarkozy would be on stronger ground if he first gave the French people a referendum on the treaty before complaining about the Irish. I wonder if the French people approve?

(I support the treaty but not without referenda)

BP Vallance, Corfu, Greece

"t would serve him right if Ireland DID hold the re-vote he's demanding - only for his precious treaty to be rejected by a much bigger margin in disgust at his arrogant undemocratic demands! "

Don't worry - I am sure that you would be given a third chance to vote the right way.

Simon, The Hague,

That President is breaking step be step all our French Republic values.
<br/>I strongly regret that France is represented by Mr. Sarkozy who is not appreciated (only 31 % favourable opinions).
<br/>Ireland voted no. Sarkozy must respect Ireland people.

Enjalbert, Toulouse, France

President Sarkozy is not the chairman, he is (under the current treaty) President of the Union for six months. As such he is acting in the best interest of the Union in attempting to push through the treaty.

The alternative is a two speed Europe. Is that really what Ireland or anyone else wants?

Peter GODDARD, Le Rouret, France, EU

Perhaps the Irish should demand that the French, German, British, Poles, Italians, Dutch, Danes etc have a single vote. M Sarkozy has become the very type of a Eurocrat we all love to hate!

James, Epsom, England

The EU started as a club run by Paris and Berlin and as it got bigger their say in EU policies dimished. Adopting the Treaty of Lisbon would allow the French and Germans to effectively dominate EU policy again. The Irish, obviously, aren't will to submit to the will of Paris and Berlin.

Chris G, Atlanta, GA, USA

Nice pic by the way; is it intended to make Irish like voting no ?

Quentin, Paris, France

@Martin, Stockholm, Sweden
Thats exactly what i think. The problem which occurs when a country leaves the EU is, that if it wants to be part of the European Economic Area (like Norway), it has to adopt most parts of the Law of the European Union, without having any influence.

Chris, Potsdam, Germany

Sarkozy has insulted the Irish and has shown explicitly his contempt for democracy as an institution. He dares not allow his countrymen to have a second referendum on the EU Constitution masquerading as the Lisbon Treaty but demands the Irish should have one. Piper obviously shares Sarkozy's view.

Daniel Cramer, Welwyn, UK

In a referendum without a clear alternative it's easy to just vote 'NO' to protest against something vague you are not happy with. The vote should have been about staying in the EU with the new treaty, or leave the EU, and let the other 98% of Europe go on.

Martin, Stockholm, Sweden

The USofA were build on war...
So much for the US-citizens commenting EU's business.
As to the rabiate contra-EUers: I think it would be great to go on only with those nations who accepted the changes to be made and have all the others repay the help they got by taxes paid by people like me...

Piper, Brussels, Belgium

Irish people are called to vote again! Does "Napo", the rekcless founder of the "Club Med", still care about democracy? Has he forgotten the French biting No? If so, for what very purpose except for threatenig and excessive ambitions? By the way, why Tony Blair not invited on July 13?

THIBEAUX, Lasne, Belgium

If correctly stated "Sarkozy demands.." says it all.

T.Andre, London,

Obviously, it's none of Sarkozy's business; it would serve him right if Ireland DID hold the re-vote he's demanding - only for his precious treaty to be rejected by a much bigger margin in disgust at his arrogant undemocratic demands!

Now, where's that referendum WE were promised, Mr Brown?

James, Perth, UK

What does Sarkozy need to go to Ireland for ?

This increases his carbon footprint just hear the word, NO !

Does he not understand the word No or NON ?

Ireland voted No
France voted No
Denmark voted No
Poland won't ratify
Germany is having second thoughts.

Listen to them Monsieur Sarkozy !

maggie millington, brittany, france

You can see what is coming next. They will change the rules.
'It will be only necessary for a majority of EU states to ratify the Lisbon Treaty for it to be adopted'.

Democracy, as far as the EU is concerned, is Dead.

Ian Kirkpatrick, Rochdale, England

I'm Irish, and I live in France.
So this is democracy for the Irish people? Well, M. Sarkozy, you won an election in a democratic vote. Your popularity rating has fallen dramatically since, so would you now agree to a second vote, to see if the French people want to change their minds over you?

Francis O'Hara, Nice, France

How can the Irish do such a thing.

Perhaps we should be considering a sanctions package ?

ANDREW C EDWARDS, London,

Can we have a new referendum after the flawed 'yes' vote in 1975?

John, London, England

Sarkozy is just like a spoiled child who demands a "do-over" when he can't get his way.

Lia, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The Infinite Monkey Theorem will surely have to be renamed. An infinite numbers of voters voting in an infinite number of referenda will eventually vote for the European Constitution or Treaty or whatever new euphemism they choose

Paul Reed, Cincinnati, USA

This is wrong - sarkozy is wrong.
They have held a referendum and it should stand - the end !!

If they wanted the vote to go cleanly they should have thought about the content of the treaty beforehand and adjusted it.

what a shambles !

Stuart Powell, Nottingham, England

So Mr. Sarkozy wants another referendum in Ireland. I suppose the best response from the Irish people would be to wait until he has extended the same opportunity to French citizens. Portugal and the UK might also like to have the referenda they promised their people.

Brian [Dublin], Dublin, Ireland

Mr Sarkozy could perhaps stick to French matters and explain why the French people did not get a referendum on a treaty they had already rejected once.

Ian Bannen, Oxford, UK