French president due in Dublin today 21/07/2008 - 07:28:45
French president Nicolas Sarkozy is due to travel to Ireland today.
He will spend just four hours in Dublin, where he will meet both sides in the campaign on the Lisbon Treaty.
President Sarkozy has said that the purpose of the visit is to gain an understanding of why Irish voters rejected Lisbon.
There is speculation about how he will be received, after he reportedly told his own party in Paris last week that Ireland will need to hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Both Yes and No campaigners have said they will not take kindly to him coming here and dictating Ireland's next moves on Lisbon.
Sarkozy will arrive at lunchtime and travel to Government Buildings to meet the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
He has also agreed to hold a private meeting with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Other Yes and No campaigners will also have an opportunity to attend a discussion forum, where they will each have around three minutes to outline their positions on Lisbon to the French president.
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French president Nicolas Sarkozy is due to travel to Ireland today.
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