Doherty challenges Referendum Commission to withdraw remark

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has today brought a High Court challenge aimed at having the Referendum Commission withdraw remarks it made earlier this month in relation to whether Ireland has a veto over the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) from coming into being.

The High Court heard that Mr Doherty has brought proceedings arising out of comments made by the Chairperson of the Commission Mr Justice Kevin Feeney on May 3 last by stating in response to if Ireland could veto the ratification of the amendment to Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU that Ireland has "already agreed to the establishment of the ESM".