New EU Treaty Vote For Ireland

Sky News
Thursday, Dec 11, 2008

Ireland is set to hold a second vote on the stalled EU constitutional treaty next year, the EU has said.

The country rejected the Lisbon Treaty, which contains several reforms to the structure and constitution of the EU, in a referendum last June.

Yet it has been revealed the Irish government is willing to hold a new referendum by October 2009, according to the AP news agency.

The Irish foreign minister Michael Martin has said the draft EU text offers Ireland several concessions, including a permanent European commissioner.

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He said: "We have to get agreement to these draft conclusions."

Assurances are also being sought safeguarding Ireland's neutrality, abortion laws, workers' rights and tax laws.

Twenty five of the 27 EU member states have already approved the document through their parliaments.

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