EU to halt 'sensitive' debates until after Irish referendum

A letter instructing EU staff to postpone "politically sensitive discussion" on the Lisbon Treaty until after the Irish referendum has been leaked to No campaigners, according to the editors of VoteNo.ie.

A copy of a letter sent by Jo Leiman MEP and chair of committee on Constitutional Affairs outlines instructions to hold discussions on potentially controversial implementation plans in secret, or to halt them altogether, until after Irish voters have gone to the polls.

A statement from the editors of the VoteNo.ie website read: "There were already rumours that a silent agreement to do this was in place, but this letter is clear evidence of that fact."

The letter concludes: "It would therefore appear highly advisable that any document concerning the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon which addresses politically sensitive matters be examined only when it becomes sufficiently clear that the Treaty will enter into force."

Kieran Allen, editor of voteno.ie said: "This document proves what No campaigners across Europe have been arguing for months, that the elites of Europe hold nothing but contempt for the democratic rights of people of Europe.

"So terrified are they that Irish voters will follow the French and Dutch people and reject this reformed European Constitution (Lisbon), that they are deliberating concealing information.

"A leaked email earlier week confirms the Irish government’s support for this strategy. Fianna Fáil in particular has pursued a deliberate campaign of ignorance and misinformation in an attempt to con Irish people into a Yes vote," said Mr Allen.