Commissioner a ‘significant’ factor in Lisbon rejection

CONCERN about keeping an EU Commissioner was a “significant” factor in Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty last summer, according to new research presented to the Government.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said yesterday a commissioner from Ireland will be appointed later this year, if voters accept the Lisbon treaty in a second referendum.

He said Ireland has secured a “highly positive basis for a referendum later in the year” after getting legal guarantees from other countries on issues such as neutrality and taxation.