Roche to go head-to-head in debate with far-right British group

THE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs is to go head-to-head in a debate on the Lisbon treaty with the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) ahead of a planned nationwide leaflet drop by the far-right British group.

The Eurosceptic party intend to spend up to €160,000 on delivering pamphlets to homes here, claiming issues like Ireland’s neutrality will be affected if voters ratify the treaty.

UKIP, two of whose members were kicked out for alleged corruption in 2004, say they are also considering giving Socialist MEP Joe Higgins support in his No bid and have held discussions with the Irishman.