Vol. 430 No. 5
84 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Denmark will have to leave the EC if it votes No in the Maastricht referendum; and the other implications that a second No vote has for Denmark and other member states.
I do not wish to speculate on the outcome of the Danish referendum on 18 May. The decision is a matter for the Danish electorate. Similarly, I would not at this stage like to speculate in any detail on the action which the member states will take if the Danish electorate votes "No".
Failure to carry the referendum on 18 May would not require Denmark to leave the European Community, as its membership of the existing Community in accordance with the Treaty of Accession of 1972 would continue to apply.
However, if the Danish electorate votes "No", it will be for all member states to consider what further steps, if any, may be desirable. It is possible in such a situation that those member states which have ratified and which are committed to the Treaty on European Union would wish to consider whether there are ways of implementing it without the participation of Denmark.
