Govt expresses regret at French 'non'
The Irish Government has expressed regret at the French electorate's decision to reject the proposed EU constitution.
Fifty-five per cent voted 'no' to the document in France's referendum over the weekend, raising doubt about the future of the proposed constitution.
The Irish Government said the decision would not affect its plans to hold a referendum on the treaty in Ireland before November of next year.
The Irish Campaign Against the EU Constitution, meanwhile, welcomed the French vote, describing it as the first step towards a new direction for Europe.
The organisation said the French were correct to reject the constitution because it would have led to the privatisation of public services, and to the market dominating all aspects of life.
It said the document would also have led to the further centralisation of decision-making in the hands of the EU elite.
Elsewhere, the employers' body IBEC said the French vote should not derail the proposed constitution, which it said would make the EU more open, democratic and accountable.
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