No money set aside for second Lisbon referendum

THE Government has put no money aside to hold another Lisbon referendum next year, despite the fact that such a poll is thought likely.

The 2008 spending estimates for the Department of Foreign Affairs, published on budget day last year, included €5.8 million for the first Lisbon referendum, which duly took place in June. However, the department’s 2009 spending estimates, published on budget day this month, makes no such provision.

A department spokesman said this was because no decision had yet been taken on whether to hold a second referendum.