FINE GAEL’S DIRECTOR of elections has insisted that the Fiscal Treaty is a “one-off”, and no second vote will be held whatever the result.

Simon Coveney was speaking after jobs minister Richard Bruton appeared to suggest yesterday that Ireland could seek to hold a second referendum if the Treaty was rejected by voters.

Bruton swiftly retracted his statement, saying he had dealt with a question badly and caused confusion.

Coveney this morning called Bruton’s comments “a mistake”, and said this referendum was different from the Nice and Lisbon treaties – on which second votes were held – as Europe does not need Ireland to ratify it.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said:

There won’t be a second vote on this. This isn’t like Nice and Lisbon. With Nice and Lisbon, for Europe to move forward every country needed to ratify. So there was a lot of pressure on Ireland. This is different.

Whatever the result of the vote, Coveney added, “This government will have to respect that and deal with the consequences.” He said the possibility of a second referendum had been discussed within Fine Gael and it was “absolutely clear” that this was a “one-off”.

Twelve countries need to ratify the Treaty for it to enter into force.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle claimed that Bruton’s comments yesterday – which he called “an outbreak of foot-in-mouth” – revealed the Government is considering a second vote. He said:

The intention is clearly there with the Government that if the people vote the wrong way, the Government will bring them back.

More: Bruton suggests Ireland could vote again… then ‘retracts’ statement>