March date for decision on rescue referendum

ENDA KENNY has said it will be March before a decision is made on whether the deal to rescue the eurozone requires a referendum in Ireland.

The Taoiseach will today brief Opposition leaders on the outcome of last week’s EU summit. He has invited Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, and the whip of the Technical Group, Catherine Murphy, to the briefing at Government Buildings.

A Government spokesman last night made clear the meeting had been called so that the Taoiseach could brief the Opposition leaders, rather than receive their ideas on what should happen next.