An Irish Aye

The eyes of the European Community focused anxiously on Ireland, as voters went to the polls to decide whether or not to back the Maastricht treaty and its call for deeper economic and political integration into the E.C. The Irish vote acquired special importance after Denmark rejected the treaty's ratification in its own referendum three weeks ago. Had Ireland also opposed the Maastricht pact, it almost surely would have been dead, and the Community's greater integration, including the creation of a single European currency and common foreign and defense policies, would have suffered a setback that would have taken years to rebuild.

As it turned out, the anxiety was unwarranted. The referendum passed with a resounding 69% majority. The turnout -- roughly half the 2.5 million eligible voters -- was considered normal.

In the end, so was the result. The E.C., whose subsidies have substantially benefited the local economy, has enjoyed wide popularity in Ireland. All the major secular institutions had urged endorsement of the treaty. Still, in the wake of Denmark's surprising vote, there was concern that Irish enthusiasm might flag. As it was, only a minority voted against it.

E.C. governments now hope that the Irish vote will lead to a positive result in a French referendum to be held in the fall. But nothing is certain in France, where voters could well use Maastricht to rebuke the increasingly unpopular President Francois Mitterrand. Eventually, all 12 E.C. members, Denmark included, must ratify the treaty before it can take force.