">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Ireland to vote again on EU's Lisbon Treaty on Oct 2
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Ireland to vote again on EU's Lisbon Treaty on Oct 2
AFP - Thursday, July 9
DUBLIN (AFP) - - Ireland will hold a second referendum on the European Union's key Lisbon reform treaty on October 2, Prime Minister Brian Cowen said Wednesday, as opinion polls show voters will back it this time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cowen said he had set the date after receiving assurances from his European colleagues on issues that concerned Irish voters, who threw the EU into disarray when they rejected the treaty in a referendum in June last year.
"I believe these concerns have been addressed now in the shape of the legal guarantees which have been agreed by the 27 heads of state," he told parliament.
"On that basis, I recommended to the government that we return to the people to seek their approval for Ireland to ratify the treaty.
"That referendum will take place on October 2."
The guarantees hammered out at an EU summit last month affirm that Ireland's military neutrality and taxation system, as well as its stance on social issues like abortion, will be untouched by the treaty.
Support for the Lisbon Treaty has been growing as Ireland's economic crisis has deepened, with the most recent polls showing 54 percent would now vote "yes", compared with 53.4 percent who opposed the text last year.
Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said adopting the treaty was in Ireland's best interests.
"The government believes that this treaty is good for Ireland and good for Europe," he told journalists. "Our task now is to bring our case before the people."
Martin launched a guide explaining the complex treaty to voters, part of a better-organised campaign the government has promised after facing accusations it was slow to engage head-on with opponents of the treaty last year.
He said he recognised that Irish voters had "genuinely-held concerns" about the treaty, but he argued: "We have benefited hugely from EU membership over the decades.
"That is not disputed, even by those who oppose the treaty. We have derived particular benefit from the creation of the European single market and from participation in the euro, which has been especially important in the recent global economic crisis."
The Lisbon Treaty is designed to facilitate decision-making in an EU which has expanded to encompass the former communist countries of eastern Europe.
The bloc has almost doubled in size since the current Nice Treaty came into force.
Despite the positive tone of opinion polls, the leader of the opposition Fine Gael party, Enda Kenny, whose party supports the treaty, warned that many voters were still wary of the complex document.
"I would not underestimate the strength of the feeling of confusion that is out there," he said.
"I am not in any way led by opinion polls at this stage which indicate this is just an exercise to be gone through."
A key figure in the anti-Lisbon campaign, multi-millionaire businessman Declan Ganley, said last month he would not fight again for a 'No' vote in a second referendum.
Ganley, whose Libertas organisation flopped in elections for the European Parliament, said he was bowing out of politics after he failed to win a seat.
Ireland was the only EU state constitutionally bound to put the treaty to a public vote. Almost all the EU members have endorsed the treaty through votes in their national parliaments.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
G8 eyes climate and tradeReuters - Thursday, July 9
Massachusetts sues U.S. over gay marriage rightsReuters - Thursday, July 9
Poland reassured over US missile shield plans: ministerAFP - Thursday, July 9
Air France pilot union attacks safety bodies over Brazil crashAFP - Thursday, July 9
Brazilian delays slow Air France inquiryReuters - Thursday, July 9
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Jackson 'best father' ever, daughter tells the world
Jackson mother relieved of estate on funeral eve
Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey
World's oldest surviving Bible published online
Grown-up Harry Potter stars at premiere of sixth film
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 9 July 2009 Clinton sees more Iran sanctions if outreach fails
Spain's Sacyr wins bid to expand Panama Canal: official
IMF projects stronger 2010 recovery
Army feeble as murders surge in Mexico drug war city
| International
|
Two car bombs kill 14 people in northern Iraq
| International
|
One death penalty in first Saudi terror trials
| International
|
Mobs roam China's restive Urumqi
US missiles kill up to 48 in Pakistan Taliban hub: officials
West Japan Railway chief indicted over train disaster
Taiwan's opposition boycotts China forum
News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace
| Technology
|
Philippines, rebels may resume talks next month
Watchdog: FEMA still lacks housing plan
Mobile entertainment seeking players and payment
| Technology
|
Overnight downpour fails to fix Mumbai water woes
Thorny thief snips 100 rose blooms from Maine park
Violent protests in Indian Kashmir capital, '50 hurt'
Amazon cuts Kindle price to $299
| Technology
|
14 US personnel treated for swine flu
Ex-defense contractor exec wants to plead guilty
Government Web sites attacked; NKorea suspected
Judge denies motion to fast-track GM sale appeal
Report: Probe found weaknesses in federal security
Important to talk to Iran, NKorea: Obama
Presidential records a time capsule of Bush years
McNair Girlfriend Felt Life "Spinning Out Of Control"
Senate hearing focuses on threats to wildlife
Blind Sailors Race In Boston Harbor
Medical First: 4 Hospitals, 8 Kidneys, 16 Surgeries
Google Developing New PC Operating System
Massachusetts Sues Over Federal Same-Sex Marriage Law
Biden: Hospitals To Give $155 Billion In Savings To Help Healthcare Overhaul
Poll Finds New York City Voters Favor Mayor Bloomberg, But Want Change
Richard Gere: Dog is hero in film about Japan tale
Test Reveals Security Breaches In Government Buildings; Bombs Smuggled Undetected
G8 spies economic danger signs as summit begins
Illegal Mexican Immigrants Sentenced For Abduction Of Fellow Drug Dealer
San Miguel takes stake in Philippines telecom outfit
SKorea, EU in final consultation on FTA: official
Ericsson inks $1.7 bln deals with Chinese firms
IMF raises Asia 2009 growth forecast
China says June bank lending doubles from May
Official: NKorea believed behind cyber attacks
Indonesia's Yudhoyono wins second term
40 years on, Paris shows 'A Man On the Moon'
In Jackson memorial, a new child star born?
U.S. Olympic Committee to launch TV network in 2010
| Entertainment
|
France begins hearings on banning the burka
Adelson says Singapore casino opening delayed
Indonesians vote calmly in presidential election
Sons of Taliban drug addict show Pakistan challenges
Payoff ends custody battle over Knut the bear
Real recruits seen drawing more Asian tourists to Spain
First individual Chinese tourists visit Japan
Aussie among three hurt in Pamplona running of the bulls
Malaysia drops English for math, science classes
La Toya Jackson scene cut from 'Bruno'
French Senate adopts rejigged Internet piracy bill
US general cites shortage of Afghan forces
Air France pilot union attacks safety bodies over Brazil crash
China flexes muscles in strife-torn Xinjiang
| International
|
South Korea, U.S. Web sites down for 3rd day on attack
GM could exit bankruptcy very soon
UN: Rape, sexual violence growing in Afghanistan
Honduras rivals to talk, but no sign of concessions
| International
|
Sharp to raise LCD panel output capacity
Eight killed in Russian Caucasus violence: reports
IMF projects stronger 2010 recovery from global recession
Bombings kill at least 41 in Iraq
| International
|
Two car bombs kill 14 people in northern Iraq
Blast outside school in Afghanistan kills 15
| International
|
Ireland to vote again on EU's Lisbon Treaty on Oct 2
Apps a nail in coffin of broadcast mobile TV
Twin car bombs kill 12 in Iraq
Iran won't back down one step in atom row
| International
|
Easter Island drug makes Methuselah mice
Data Domain accepts EMC takeover bid
Iraq car bombs kill 16
U.S. denies Israeli report of deal on settlements
CORRECTED: Amazon cuts Kindle price to $299
G8 sets Iran deadline for nuclear talks
| International
|
AT&T takes issue with antitrust criticism
Clerical discontent challenges Iran leader
Air France chief says reaction to crash was timely
| International
|
Amazon cuts Kindle price to 299 dollars
Colombia's Uribe backs hostage mediation
| International
|
UN: Israel must tear down West Bank barrier
U.N. rights experts stress Iran concerns, seek visit
Times Co. extends deadline for Boston Globe bids
Mobile entertainment seeking players and payment
Iraq group calls for further attacks on U.S. troops
Taiwan's women split over prostitution issue
News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace
| Technology
|
China flexes muscles in strife-torn Xinjiang
Google takes aim at Microsoft with new PC platform
| Technology
|
Rogers patient as Tour de France heads into Stage 6
Apps a nail in coffin of broadcast mobile TV
| Technology
|
Evans down, but not out at Tour de France
Firefighters Battling Brush Fire Near World Famous Getty Center Art Complex
Portland, Ore., street renamed Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Reports Find Bottled Water Less Tested Than Tap Water
AT&T takes issue with antitrust criticism
| Technology
|
Retiring US commander predicts easy Karzai win
1st Americans killed in Vietnam War are honored
US officials eye North Korea in cyber attack
Australian executive held on spy charge in China
More web attacks likely, North Korea suspected
| Technology
|
Schumer: Immigration bill to be ready by Labor Day
PROMISES, PROMISES: Politics shadow Obama's pledge
China tries new openness with foreign media
Sharp to raise LCD panel output capacity
| Technology
|
NKorea's Kim pays homage to late father in televised tribute
Obama names gene guru Francis Collins NIH chief
Anxiety over economic recovery weighs on stocks
Verdict reached in Jesse James Hollywood trial
Blagojevich aide pleads guilty in corruption case
Paris Hilton film trial rooted in Ponzi scheme
South Korea c.bank holds rates steady for 5th month
Taiwan dlr off 2-mth closing low as stocks rise
HIGHLIGHTS-South Korean central bank chief's comments
S.Korean T-bond futures jump ahead of rate vote
High school comedy "Beth Cooper" flunks out
Jackson doctor denies drug link after tributes
Seoul shares slip as techs, autos retreat
Indonesian president on track for re-election
Obama inauguration audience trumped Jackson memorial
Indonesia's president: a crooner and a general
Australian executive held on spy charge in China
Up to 74 Afghan migrants missing off Indonesia
Michael Jackson's family silent on burial plans
| Entertainment
|
AP newsroom is a setting for Drew Barrymore film
Q&A: Reality honcho Burnett dives into Shark Tank
| Entertainment
|
LA seeks ways to pass on cost for Jackson memorial
Scooby-Doo director takes on Smurfs movie
| Entertainment
|
Nielsen: 30.9 million watched Jackson memorial
Hope Davis to play Hillary Clinton
| Entertainment
|
Kate Gosselin to attend California women's forum
Robin Williams lined up for HBO comedy special
Award turns blind Japan pianist into music sensation
| Entertainment
|
`Transformers' hits $300 million mark in 14 days
Paris Hilton film trial rooted in Ponzi scheme
Dole sues Bananas documentary maker
| Entertainment
|
High school comedy Beth Cooper flunks out
| Entertainment
|
Dan Brown moves to Washington for new thriller
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights