Taoiseach's first US visit overshadowed by anger at Sarkozy
Brian Cowen mixing with the traders at the New York Stock Exchange
Thursday July 17 2008
The Government is understood to be privately furious about French President Nicolas Sarkozy's claims Ireland will have to hold a second Lisbon Treaty referendum.
But Taoiseach Brian Cowen has significantly tried to play down the furore over Mr Sarkozy's comments, ahead of the President's visit to Dublin next week.
Word of Mr Sarkozy's comments only emerged after Mr Cowen departed for New York on Tuesday, and the backlash over the comments has overshadowed his first visit to the US as Taoiseach.
Mr Cowen sought to strike a balance between not getting involved in a public row with the French President, while also avoiding any talk of a second referendum yesterday.
The Taoiseach stuck firmly to the Government's official line that it is still examining the result of the referendum and will be reporting back to EU counterparts in October.
"We'll meet on Monday and we'll have a chat about where things are at. As I say, the official position from our meeting in June is we'll report progress in October," he said.
When asked if he favoured holding a second referendum as Mr Sarkozy insists, Mr Cowen said: "The Government haven't given any thought about where we go from here until we actually assess, examine and analyse the outcome of the referendum. We've got to take it step by step."
Behind the scenes, Mr Cowen, his ministers and officials are believed to be raging about Mr Sarkozy's untimely and unhelpful intervention.
Meanwhile, a row is looming over which Lisbon Treaty campaign groups will be invited to meet Mr Sarkozy.
The French president will hold a series of meetings with campaigners during his five-hour visit next Monday, but a final itinerary and invitation list has not yet been finalised.
Selection
Although the Forum on Europe hosted all political parties, TDs, senators, MEPs, and over 20 campaigning groups such as Libertas, the People's Movement, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance throughout the Lisbon campaign, a smaller group will be chosen to meet Mr Sarkozy.
Up to 45 minutes will be given to a forum-type discussion with both sides of the treaty debate. Separate meetings will take place with the Taoiseach and government officials. One venue being considered is the state residence of Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park.
It is expected the Government may delay announcing who will take part in the discussions next Monday so as to avoid a prolonged row.
Meanwhile, Mr Cowen yesterday said there was concern in the US and uncertainty about when the financial crisis would end. He added that Irish people needed to avoid "bemoaning" our economic situation and a "self-fulfiling prophecy that the turnaround is distant".
Following meetings with business and political figures, Mr Cowen admitted that key figures in New York didn't know where the financial crisis was going to "bottom out".
"They see a bumpy ride for the rest of this year and next year being difficult as well," said Mr Cowen.
"But it's a resilient economy and they've seen difficulties before. It's just that they can't put a time on it in terms of when they expect the turn to come."
- Fionnan Sheahan in New York and Aine Kerr
