Lisbon to be altered without referendum

THE Lisbon Treaty will have to be amended to pave the way for a permanent eurozone rescue fund but the Government will not hold a referendum on the change.

Following a 1987 Supreme Court judgment, any major changes to the rules governing the EU are required to be put to a referendum in Ireland.

But the Government believes the amendment now being proposed is a minor one that can be ratified by way of Oireachtas approval.