Brennan says Europe’s future is in Irish hands

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has claimed that Europe's future is in Irish hands following the EC’s decision to declare 10 countries as ready to join the EU.

Mr Brennan claimed that Ireland’s vote in the re-run of the Nice Treaty referendum is now the only obstacle to enlargement. However, he conceded that enlargement can go ahead without Nice, albeit at a slower pace.

“If the Irish people were to say 'no', that we weren't taking these candidate countries in, I have no doubt, down the line, other mechanisms might be found in years to come to get over that situation, but I don't think the people of Ireland will be forgiven by the 10 applicant countries,” he said.