Germans put off ratifying EU fiscal treaty

The Government insists it will proceed with the fiscal treaty referendum even though Germany is delaying its ratification as the fallout from the French and Greek elections continues.

A spokesman for Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the referendum would proceed as planned, saying: “We’re looking forward to a positive outcome on May 31.”

The Government’s firm stance came despite confirmation from Berlin that the Bundestag, the German parliament, would postpone its ratification from May 25 until late June.