Sarkozy says he'll visit Ireland to help pass Lisbon Treaty
Friday June 12 2009
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is offering to visit Ireland to help persuade voters to pass the Lisbon Treaty referendum at the second time of asking.
By contrast, embattled British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is reluctant to push the treaty through the House of Commons a second time if the Irish Government wins legal guarantees designed to allay the concerns of Irish voters.
However, the Irish Government is still confident it will secure the legally binding guarantees at next week's crucial EU Summit.
Foreign Minister Micheal Martin insisted the Government was "close to agreeing legal guarantees" on concerns raised by voters when they rejected the European Union's new governing treaty in a referendum last year.
"With the exception of taxation, our guarantees will be Ireland-specific," he said. "We have to be careful that in getting what we want we do not upset procedures for others."
The guarantees promised to Ireland at the EU Summit in December are on taxation, defence, the provisions of the Constitution on right to life, education and family and the solemn declaration on workers' rights.
The wording of the guarantees has been circulated to all the EU member states ahead of the summit, where the text must be signed off on.
The date for the Lisbon Treaty referendum will be decided by the Government after consultation with the opposition parties.
Mr Martin said member states were sensitive about the Irish guarantees because they were concerned about the reaction within their own countries.
But political sources say the British are "absolutely worried" about the treaty having to pass through the House of Commons again because of the legal guarantees.
"They want to be clear Lisbon doesn't have to be put through the Commons. They just don't want to be going back," a source said.
If the summit approves the guarantees, it is expected the Government will then move to hold the referendum in the autumn, most likely in mid-October.
Support
Mr Sarkozy said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were pledging their support to the Government.
"Mrs Merkel and I will do everything we can to help the Irish make the choice for Lisbon. If it is of use, I would even be ready to travel to Ireland to support them," he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Government appreciates the constructive role played by France in helping to address the concerns raised during last year's referendum.
"There are no immediate plans for a visit by President Sarkozy but, as always, we appreciate his offers of support," a spokesperson said.
Mr Martin and the Taoiseach briefed Fine Gael foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and European Affairs spokes-man Joe Costello on the final details of the guarantees.
Mr Timmins said it was important that the voters knew what the guarantees were about and stood for.
Mr Costello said the Labour Party had received "positive indications" on employment legislation that has yet to be passed by the Oireachtas.
"There were major issues surrounding employment last June and we want to ensure that we have our own house in order here at home. We got positive indications that these issues will now be addressed," he said.
Mr Martin also rounded on anti-Lisbon campaigners as he said parties opposed to the treaty "have no mandate to continue working against the best interests of this country".
- Fionnan Sheahan and Aidan O'Connor
