Cowen fails to rule out Lisbon II

The Taoiseach said today he cannot speculate on whether Ireland will have another referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Brian Cowen was speaking following the conclusion of the EU Council summit in Brussels.

The Taoiseach said he made it clear to the EU's other national leaders that it is too early to know how Ireland can move forward following the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty Referendum last week.

He said he told them there is no easy solution to the problem.

Brian Cowen says he will now engage intensively both within Ireland and within the EU.

Speaking today, the Taoiseach said: "I will explore all options, the concerns that have been raised which I've referred to in my discussions in last night's meeting.

"I will explore them in an honest and open way because that is my responsibility as Taoiseach of the country."

The Taoiseach concluded that "at the end of the day we will try and make an assessment as to what if any progress can be made."

Meanwhile, the British High Court's called on the UK government to delay their ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

A judge wants more time to deal with a legal attempt by a millionaire to force a referendum on the issue.

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown's jumped to the defence of his old foe Peter Mandelson.

French president Nicholas Sarkozy's blamed him for the Irish No vote - saying his campaign for free trade upset Irish farmers.