Cowen: Treaty decision rests with council

THE European Council and not French President Nicolas Sarkozy will ultimately decide the way forward following the Irish rejection of the Lisbon treaty, said Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Although diplomatic in his language, and avoiding any criticism of Mr Sarkozy, Mr Cowen made clear that the final decision would not rest with the French leader.

“The bottom line on all of this is that the European Council will have to find an agreed way forward,” the Taoiseach said on the final day of his visit to New York.