Ganley to decide on election bid within a month

Lisbon Treaty opponent Declan Ganley will decide within a month whether he will run in the European elections, it emerged tonight.

The Libertas chairman may put his name on the ballot paper in the North West constituency, which covers his Co Galway base.

However a final decision will not be made by the think-tank until after a crunch European Council summit in Brussels on December 11-12 which will discuss the Lisbon Treaty issue.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is expected to address EU leaders and offer solutions to the current political impasse following the rejection of the controversial charter in the referendum.

A Libertas spokesman said tonight: “If Mr Ganley decides to run for the European Parliament, it is likely to be the North West constituency.

“However a final decision will not be made by Libertas until immediately after the European Council meeting next month.

“Libertas will evaluate what happens at that meeting and then make an announcement on its plans for the European elections.”

The think-tank is believed to be considering fielding candidates in constituencies across Ireland, Britain and other EU countries.

Mr Ganley, who masterminded the 'No' campaign and has remained a thorn in the side of the Government, has remained tight-lipped on whether he will fight for a MEP seat in Brussels.

Anti-Lisbon politician, Czech president Vaclav Klaus and Mr Ganley yesterday shared a joint press conference which Government officials claimed was a breach of protocol by a visiting head of state.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin described public comments about the Lisbon Treaty made by Mr Klaus as “an inappropriate intervention” by a EU leader.

“I think the press conference last night and the very clear political comments made by President Klaus, we would regard as an inappropriate intervention in the context of such a state visit, particularly at a time when the Irish Government is engaged in discussions with our partners in the European Unions on behalf of the Irish people,” Mr Martin told RTÉ Radio.

Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche added: “Mr Klaus’s public comments on an issue of ongoing domestic political debate are unusual and disappointing during a state visit,” Mr Roche said.

Labour’s European Affairs spokesman Joe Costello also described Mr Klaus’s remarks as an act of unprecedented diplomatic discourtesy by a visiting head of state.

Mr Klaus and Mr Ganley also attended a private dinner in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel last night which was attended by Independent Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott and former MEP Patricia McKenna of the Green Party.