Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh, Fine Gael’s Director of Elections in Donegal North East has expressed satisfaction with the result in the Constituency and with the overall national result.
The result in DNE is against a backdrop of a traditional NO vote in referenda relating to Europe, in addition voters used the referendum to express dissatisfaction with matters totally unrelated to the treaty itself.
He said that given these factors, the NO vote did not achieve the huge majority that many people predicted, and there were many successes for the YES vote right across the constituency in Milford, Inishowen and Letterkenny.
“I am particularly pleased with the result in Letterkenny where the YES/NO vote was almost identical, and I am particularly happy the Fine Gael party vote came out in the town and gave a resounding Yes to the referendum.
“It was clear yesterday that party supporters in the town were voting in large numbers and voting in favour of the stability treaty, and that is reflected in the result at today’s count.
“At a national level I am delighted that the treaty has been passed and regardless of how people voted I think we have got the result that is best for the country. The YES vote will hopefully give us the stability we need to help the economy begin to recover.
“We still have a lot to do and are still tied to the economic corrections agreed with the troika, and still have to deal with our large budget deficit, but nevertheless the Yes vote sends out a very positive message to potential investors, that Ireland is committed to the Euro and open for investment and open for business. The YES vote is therefore a big step in the right direction for the country.”