EU Treaty rejection could isolate Ireland

IRELAND could find itself isolated in Europe if it rejects the new Treaty, Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has warned.

The country is likely to be the only member state where the so-called Reform Treaty is put to a referendum. The vote is expected to be early next year.

With all political parties supporting the document the former finance minister said he expected it to be agreed to by the voters. But he warned that following the rejection of the Nice Treaty six years ago nothing could be taken for granted.