Taoiseach to begin whistle-stop tour of EU capitals

The Taoiseach is due to begin a series of visits to European capitals today to discuss the Irish Government's plans for addressing the Lisbon Treaty stalemate.

Brian Cowen is visiting Luxembourg and Berlin today before travelling to London tomorrow and Paris on Friday.

The trip comes ahead of an EU summit in Brussels next week where Ireland is due to outline its proposals for how the EU should respond to the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.

Most commentators believe the Government will arrange a second referendum late next year in an effort to overturn last June's vote.

It is expected to seek a number of declarations aimed at addressing some of the concerns raised by people who voted 'no'.