Cabinet eyes Áras to avoid treaty referendum

THE president has refused to comment on whether he would be willing to refer the new European Treaty to the Supreme Court to test whether it has to be put to a referendum of the people.

It is believed the Government is considering asking Michael D Higgins to take that step in the hope the court will say the treaty, which is due for its final signing at a summit on March 1, is in line with the Constitution and, therefore, no referendum would be needed.

If the Government were to decide not to have a vote, that would almost certainly be subjected to a Supreme Court challenge which it could easily lose.