Commenting on the result of the Irish Referendum on Lisbon Treaty, John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said: “This is setback for Europe but it underlines the need for a much stronger social and popular edge to be introduced quickly into European policy. For far too long, Europe has paid too little attention to the expectations and rights of workers and others who feel threatened by globalisation and the pace of change. This message from Ireland, as from France and the Netherlands earlier, must this time be acted on urgently.”