they just wont take no for an answer, how predictable.
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Ireland to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon European Union Treaty
Ireland will hold a second referendum on the Lisbon European Union Treaty next year, the country's government has confirmed.
Michael Martin, the Irish Foreign Minister, stressed that Ireland would get concessions in return for bowing to EU pressure hold a re-run referendum after Irish rejected the treaty in June.
"Work remains to be completed with our European partners over the coming months and any second referendum is conditional on satisfactory conclusion of that work," he said.
Mr Martin spoke ahead of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. He said he expected promises that Ireland will keep a permanent European commissioner along with legal guarantees on military neutrality, social and ethical issues.
William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary, called on EU leaders to focus on “what really matters to the peoples of Europe: the economy, climate change and energyâ€.
â€Trying to force the Lisbon Treaty down the Irish people's throats again is not only a dangerous distraction from that agenda, it is profoundly undemocratic,†he said.
â€It is no wonder that the EU is seen as increasingly unaccountable and out of touch if it won't listen to what people are actually saying.â€
The second referendum is expected to take place next autumn, with details of opt-outs and concession concluded in June 2009.
A draft summit statement says: "Treaty to enter into force by the end of 2009. The Irish government is committed to seeking ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of the term of the current Commission."
The Brussels executive's term of office ends on Oct 31 2009, but the Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, has said there were plans to extend his mandate until the end of the year.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, has written to Europe's leaders to say that Brian Cowen, the Irish prime minister, will report back to other leaders "on ways to succeed in ratifying the treaty".
"I shall submit to you proposals taking account of these discussions so that we can define together the elements of a solution and a common path to be followed to achieve the aim of entry into force of the Treaty," he wrote.
Declan Ganley, leader of the Irish No campaign, will launch a new political party to challenge the Lisbon Treaty in European elections next year.
"This is a betrayal of the Irish people. That Cowen would do a deal with the French president to disregard our vote just beggars belief," he said.
Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty, which resurrected the EU Constitution thrown out by French and Dutch referendums in 2005, on June 12 this year.
-
Ireland to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon European Union Treaty
Ireland will hold a second referendum on the Lisbon European Union Treaty next year, the country's government has confirmed.
Michael Martin, the Irish Foreign Minister, stressed that Ireland would get concessions in return for bowing to EU pressure hold a re-run referendum after Irish rejected the treaty in June.
"Work remains to be completed with our European partners over the coming months and any second referendum is conditional on satisfactory conclusion of that work," he said.
Mr Martin spoke ahead of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. He said he expected promises that Ireland will keep a permanent European commissioner along with legal guarantees on military neutrality, social and ethical issues.
William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary, called on EU leaders to focus on “what really matters to the peoples of Europe: the economy, climate change and energyâ€.
â€Trying to force the Lisbon Treaty down the Irish people's throats again is not only a dangerous distraction from that agenda, it is profoundly undemocratic,†he said.
â€It is no wonder that the EU is seen as increasingly unaccountable and out of touch if it won't listen to what people are actually saying.â€
The second referendum is expected to take place next autumn, with details of opt-outs and concession concluded in June 2009.
A draft summit statement says: "Treaty to enter into force by the end of 2009. The Irish government is committed to seeking ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of the term of the current Commission."
The Brussels executive's term of office ends on Oct 31 2009, but the Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, has said there were plans to extend his mandate until the end of the year.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, has written to Europe's leaders to say that Brian Cowen, the Irish prime minister, will report back to other leaders "on ways to succeed in ratifying the treaty".
"I shall submit to you proposals taking account of these discussions so that we can define together the elements of a solution and a common path to be followed to achieve the aim of entry into force of the Treaty," he wrote.
Declan Ganley, leader of the Irish No campaign, will launch a new political party to challenge the Lisbon Treaty in European elections next year.
"This is a betrayal of the Irish people. That Cowen would do a deal with the French president to disregard our vote just beggars belief," he said.
Irish voters rejected the Lisbon Treaty, which resurrected the EU Constitution thrown out by French and Dutch referendums in 2005, on June 12 this year.
