‘Treaty won’t solve our problems — not by a long shot’

The fiscal treaty “won’t solve all of Ireland’s problems — not by a long shot,” Fine Gael referendum campaign director Simon Coveney has admitted.

But the Agriculture Minister insisted it would be a “step in the right direction” and ensure “that no future government will be able to spend the people’s money recklessly and drive this country back onto the rocks again”.

His comments came as the latest opinion poll indicated that the yes side’s lead in the campaign had narrowed ahead of the May 31 vote.