IN THE YES CAMP:SURE-FOOTED Irish rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll rarely makes a wrong move. And few issues are more dangerous than politics, writes MARIE O'HALLORAN
However, last night he dipped a toe in political waters when he and some of the great and good of rugby fame, and a number of TV personalities, turned out to support a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum campaign.
He and a mini-squad of Irish rugby players including Gordon D’Arcy, Rob Kearney, Malcolm O’Kelly and Shane Horgan and Peter Coyle, TV presenters Pamela Flood and Kathryn Thomas, attended a “Lisbon night” at the Market Bar in Dublin, hosted by former international Denis Hickie for pro-Lisbon group Ireland for Europe.
Accompanied by his author fiancee Amy Huberman, the Irish captain said: “I am supporting a friend first and foremost, by being here”. His general approach to politics is usually that “I may have my opinions, but keep them to myself”. On this occasion however, he thinks it’s an important issue and from “the bits I’ve read, it is worth voting for”.
“This is a Yes or No issue to vote on. It’s different talking about an individual you’re going to vote for, rather than a simple Yes or No, although you wouldn’t say simple in relation to Lisbon,” he qualifies.
And he adds: “all the political parties have supported the treaty”. He has “educated myself somewhat from the pamphlets and the documents and I know a little more about it”.
Would it prompt an interest in getting involved in politics, post-rugby? “I don’t think so.”
Last time around none of the international rugby fraternity was in the country to vote. This time around Leinster and Irish international Malcolm O’Kelly said he had to get himself on the supplementary register to vote.
Did he think an event two weeks before the referendum with rugby personalities smacked a little of desperation? “Do you think it does?” he responds. “Well if it does, it’s something we desperately need to pass and I’ll be desperately happy if it does.”
Host Hickie has actually read the entire treaty. More than once. But then again, he is paid to do so. Denis started as a voluntary patron for Ireland for Europe and now works full time there.
And how much is he paid? “None of your business.” So what’s his favourite part of the treaty?
He smiles, acknowledges that it’s not exactly bedtime reading but stresses that the Charter of Fundamental Rights seeks to give a “social” balance to the commercial emphasis in place since the EU began. He adds that last time “all the political parties were very complacent. It was a case of ‘the EU is very important for us. Don’t ask any questions.’ This time, people are much more informed and we have to decide what’s important.” Denis for the Dáil?