MEPs call for Lisbon vote before June elections

SENIOR members of the European Parliament say Ireland must have a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty before next June’s elections.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is expected to tell his fellow EU leaders at their summit next week that voting for the new parliament should go ahead under current Nice treaty rules.

He will indicate that, if Lisbon is to be put to the Irish electorate again, it is unlikely to happen before next November.