Cowen to seek EU concessions for re-run of Lisbon Treaty vote

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will tomorrow outline the state’s response to the failed Lisbon Treaty at a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels.

At the two-day European Council summit the Government is expected to seek concessions on a number of key issues central to the referendum defeat last June, including the right to retain a seat on the Commission.

It is understood assurances will also be sought safeguarding Ireland’s neutrality, abortion and taxation laws.

Government officials stressed Irish concerns must be addressed at the meeting before any commitment is given to push ahead with efforts to ratify the controversial charter.

Speculation has mounted that Ireland will be asked to vote again if concessions are secured from the 26 leaders.

Mr Cowen, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin and Europe Minister Dick Roche will leave for the two-day summit tomorrow afternoon.

The Taoiseach will set out to leaders the Government’s plan for dealing with the institutional crisis sparked by Ireland’s shock rejection of the Treaty.

Officials have stressed that while other countries are committed to working with Ireland to resolve the impasse, they may raise concerns over the assurances being sought.

While many states are amenable to the proposal to retain a commissioner, it is understood some feel reducing the size of the commission is central to plans to streamline the EU.

Under the Lisbon Treaty, it is envisaged that the number of commissioners would fall from 27 to 18, with states getting the right to appoint a member on the basis of equal rotation.

But European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso gave a strong backing this week to each country retaining a commissioner, easing the pressure faced by the Government at the tough negotiations.

Mr Barroso said he was convinced the European Commission could satisfy Ireland’s concerns over the treaty.

Mr Martin has said negotiations to find a solution to the impasse over the Lisbon Treaty will “go to the wire” at the Brussels meeting.

While no defined date for ratifying the charter has been announced, most states are impatient to see it ratified and it is understood want it to come into force by the beginning of 2010.

Three countries have yet to ratify it – the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany.

Over the past number of weeks, the Taoiseach has travelled to a number of EU countries and met senior politicians, including the leaders of France and Britain.

He has since phoned several other EU leaders.

A Government spokesman today confirmed the Taoiseach met with Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and Fine Gael chief Enda Kenny today to discuss the treaty.

Other key issues to be discussed at the summit are climate change and the global financial crisis.