Sarkozy denies bullying Irish voters over Lisbon

French president Nicolas Sarkozy tonight denied he was bullying Irish voters into holding a second vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

Mr Sarkozy, who is the current EU Council president, angered Irish politicians and campaigners with the controversial comments made at a private meeting with members of his parliamentary party in Paris.

However, speaking at a joint news conference in Dublin with Irish prime minister Brian Cowen, the French leader tonight insisted he would never want to meddle in Irish affairs.

“I never said Ireland had to organise a new referendum,” he said.

“I said that at some stage or another the Irish had to be given the opportunity to give their opinion, they had to give their opinion. I never said there had to be a referendum. I didn’t say on what question there would be a vote. I did not, in any way, meddle in Irish domestic affairs.”

The French leader earlier held talks with Mr Cowen, Opposition party leaders, and pro and anti Lisbon Treaty campaigners, during his five-hour visit to Dublin.

The European Union reform was plunged into chaos last month when the Lisbon Treaty was rejected in an Irish referendum by 53.4% to 46.6%.

Mr Cowen is due to meet Mr Sarkozy again in September ahead of a crunch meeting of the European Council a month later.

The Irish Government has hired consultants to carry out a major survey to examine Irish voter behaviour.