Cowen anxious to bring Lisbon vote forward

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen said he wants to progress the Lisbon treaty as quickly as possible and has not allowed himself to be anchored to an October date.

He said the timeframe was reliant on how soon European leaders could finalise guarantees promised at last December’s meeting.

Mr Cowen said he accepted the view that an early yes vote would help stabilise the economic turmoil.

“Lisbon is an issue that doesn’t benefit us to a great extent at the moment. I have asked that the work be given highest possible priority. We don’t have to wait until June, it may be possible to get the work done sooner,” he said.

The leaders of Fine Gael and Labour, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore, had pressed the Taoiseach to stick to the October timing.

Mr Kenny said the public needed time to digest and understand the guarantees.

“It is a matter of great importance to the country and the economy as a whole. [There needs to be] very clear and educated preparation, so on the necessary questions there are no ambiguities,” he said.

Mr Gilmore pleaded with the Taoiseach to set out clearly whether he was considering running the referendum on the same day as the local and European elections in June.

During the questions and answers in the Dáil, Mr Cowen said he had addressed the Cabinet committee on European affairs last week and asked it to accelerate progress.

The Taoiseach said he would welcome the finalisation of negotiations on these before the March meeting of European leaders. And if not, it could come before a special meeting between then and the next scheduled gathering in June.