EU referendum will be held if deemed necessary, says Gilmore

IRELAND is heading for another referendum on the EU within the next 12 months, opposition parties insist, as the Tánaiste agreed that a vote would be held if necessary.

After Britain vetoed a full EU treaty change, the agreement on an inter-governmental deal rushed through at Friday’s summit in Brussels is far from certain as it could face challenges in several countries.

At least eight member states have to ask their parliaments to approve taking part in the agreement that is being touted as the start of a fiscal union, and some may insist on asking the citizens.