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Irish may get earlier Lisbon vote | Irish may get earlier Lisbon vote |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Irish government is considering whether it would be logistically possible to bring forward the date for a second Lisbon Treaty referendum. | The Irish government is considering whether it would be logistically possible to bring forward the date for a second Lisbon Treaty referendum. |
"All options are being considered," an Irish government spokesman told the BBC News website on Monday. | "All options are being considered," an Irish government spokesman told the BBC News website on Monday. |
Republic of Ireland voters rejected the EU reform treaty in a referendum last June. October 2009 had been given as the likely month for a new referendum. | Republic of Ireland voters rejected the EU reform treaty in a referendum last June. October 2009 had been given as the likely month for a new referendum. |
The EU has given Ireland sovereignty "guarantees" to reassure voters. | The EU has given Ireland sovereignty "guarantees" to reassure voters. |
An Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll published on Monday suggests that 51% of voters in the Republic of Ireland would back the controversial treaty now, with 33% saying they would vote "No". It put the number of undecided voters at 16%. | An Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll published on Monday suggests that 51% of voters in the Republic of Ireland would back the controversial treaty now, with 33% saying they would vote "No". It put the number of undecided voters at 16%. |
The poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a sample of 1,000 voters across the country. | The poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a sample of 1,000 voters across the country. |
Correspondents say the economic crisis has boosted support for the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland. | Correspondents say the economic crisis has boosted support for the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland. |
We want to make sure the wording of the guarantees is robust, so that they can stand up to legal challenge Irish government spokesman | We want to make sure the wording of the guarantees is robust, so that they can stand up to legal challenge Irish government spokesman |
The treaty, aimed at strengthening EU institutions, has to be ratified by all 27 member states to take effect. Ireland was the only country to hold a referendum on it. | The treaty, aimed at strengthening EU institutions, has to be ratified by all 27 member states to take effect. Ireland was the only country to hold a referendum on it. |
The Czech Republic and Poland have not yet ratified the treaty either. And in Germany, a legal challenge has sent the treaty to the constitutional court. | The Czech Republic and Poland have not yet ratified the treaty either. And in Germany, a legal challenge has sent the treaty to the constitutional court. |
Opponents say the treaty is part of a federalist EU agenda that threatens national sovereignty. The also say it differs little from the ill-fated EU constitution, rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. | Opponents say the treaty is part of a federalist EU agenda that threatens national sovereignty. The also say it differs little from the ill-fated EU constitution, rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. |
Legal discussions | Legal discussions |
The Irish government spokesman, who declined to be named, said it was "considering whether it is logistically possible" to bring forward the referendum date from October. | The Irish government spokesman, who declined to be named, said it was "considering whether it is logistically possible" to bring forward the referendum date from October. |
He did not rule out that the referendum re-run could coincide with the European Parliament election. The date for that in Ireland is 5 June. | He did not rule out that the referendum re-run could coincide with the European Parliament election. The date for that in Ireland is 5 June. |
He said the EU "guarantees" for Ireland "are still being worked on", and that "it depends whether they can be signed off in March" by EU leaders. | He said the EU "guarantees" for Ireland "are still being worked on", and that "it depends whether they can be signed off in March" by EU leaders. |
"We want to make sure the wording of the guarantees is robust, so that they can stand up to legal challenge," he added. | "We want to make sure the wording of the guarantees is robust, so that they can stand up to legal challenge," he added. |
The EU has pledged not to impose rules on Ireland concerning taxation, "family" issues - such as abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage - and the traditional Irish state neutrality. | The EU has pledged not to impose rules on Ireland concerning taxation, "family" issues - such as abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage - and the traditional Irish state neutrality. |
In last June's referendum on the reform treaty, 53.4% voted "No" to Lisbon, and 46.6% "Yes". | In last June's referendum on the reform treaty, 53.4% voted "No" to Lisbon, and 46.6% "Yes". |
The spokesman said the government would have to give the Irish referendum commission enough time to inform voters about the treaty. | |
There were widespread complaints in the run-up to last June's referendum that many voters had a poor understanding of the treaty. | |
"It would be wrong to foist it on people, if the referendum cannot be scheduled to give people sufficient time to debate it," the spokesman told the BBC. | |
Supporters of Prime Minister Brian Cowen's Fianna Fail party and the main opposition Fine Gael mostly back the treaty. The nationalist opposition Sinn Fein opposes it. |
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