As Dutch leaders made an 11th-hour plea for a “Yes” vote on the European Union constitution, polls suggested a disillusioned public will reject the charter in a referendum tomorrow by an even larger margin than the stunning “No” delivered by France.

The French were closing a tumultuous and divisive referendum campaign today about Europe’s future and their place in it, with rebellious, disgruntled voters seemingly determined to rattle the continent and President Jacques Chirac by saying “non!” to the European Union’s first constitution.

The European Union constitution was set to clear its final legislative hurdle in Germany today as the upper house of parliament votes on the charter, two days before French voters have their say in a referendum.

MOST of the European decision-making mechanism is now on vacation but in September we will see what portfolios will be allotted to Charlie McCreevy, Peter Mandelson and their various new Commission colleagues.

AS outgoing MEP for the North West constituency I wish to express my concern at the recent statement by Giscard d’Estaing, on BBC2’s Newsnight.

POOR old Giscard d’Estaing. There he was with his nice draft European constitution all ready for the Thessaloniki summit on June 20, and what happened?

IRELAND will lose more MEPs if proposals being put forward by the head of the organisation debating the future of the European Union are accepted.

Plans to secure the Brussels Commission as the powerhouse of the European Union will be unveiled tomorrow.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today are attempting to make the Union more efficient and democratic.