Govt in talks about retaining EU Commissioner

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Martin has said that the Government is in talks with other European Union member states about retaining an Irish commissioner.

It comes as a poll published today in the Irish Times shows that a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty has a chance of being carried.

The survey indicated that 43% of people said they would vote yes if Ireland could retain an EU commissioner and if certain other concerns were addressed.

Minister Martin said that a decision on whether Ireland will hold a second referendum will be made in advance of the next European Council summit in December.