Martin hopeful of agreement on second Lisbon vote

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said Ireland will hold a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty late next year provided a series of guarantees can be agreed.

Micheál Martin says the Government is hopeful of reaching agreement today on the second day of the European Council Summit in Brussels.

The deal that would include legal declarations on abortion, tax and neutrality and Ireland would also retain its EU Commissioner.

Concerns raised by Britain around the status of the legal declarations for Ireland are being worked on behind the scenes.

Minister Martin said it is clear the issue of the Commissioner is crucial for voters.