Referendum on EU power looking likely

THE Government has given its strongest indication yet that a referendum will take place to give more economic governance powers to the EU.

As the Taoiseach Enda Kenny prepares to travel to Brussels for a crunch meeting on saving the euro, his Government yesterday received a report by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy recommending minor changes to the EU rule book.

The report calls for a “new fiscal compact” that ties eurozone member states more strictly into budget deficit and debt rules. It is being considered at a very senior level of government according to a spokesperson.