We must find a solution for all

Suppose the future reform of the House of Lords required the approval of every county. Suppose that all county councils agree the reform, except Herefordshire, which votes "No".

What should be done? Should reform be abandoned because one county votes against? Should Herefordshire be asked to vote again, in light of the support of every other county? Should Herefordshire's concerns be identified, if possible, and an attempt made at a compromise?

That is the situation facing European coutries, who negotiated a package of reforms to the EU, which one country has rejected, while most if not all of the others continue to support it. Reform of the EU needs approval from every single member state.

Of course, every country has its own procedure to decide on such matters, in accordace with their own traditions and constitutions. Some have a decision of their national parliament (sometimes by a simple majority, some by a two-thirds or three-fifths majority), one has a referendum, one requires the approval of each of its internal entities (seven parliaments) another the approval of a two-thirds majority of its internal states. These differences sometimes give rise to claims that one method is better than another, but it is any case not something for the EU to decide, but is up to each member state.

What is not allowed under the current rules is a single referendum of all European citizens. To obtain agreement for reform, you need to win the Grand Slam of of 27 victories and zero defeats.

In this situation, there is no choice but to do what all 27 governments agreed at the end of last week, namely to persevere in searching for a solution acceptable to all countries. The Reform Treaty agreed last year proved acceptable to almost all member states. The most likely route to a solution is to do what it takes to make the package acceptable to Ireland, without making it unacceptable to others. Not easy, but as I said in the parliament on Wednesday it is a challenge we must rise to.