McCreevy: Treaty rejection would put us ‘in the cold’

IRELAND would find itself out in the cold — being bypassed by the other European Union countries — if voters reject the new treaty in next year’s referendum, Charlie McCreevy has warned.

The EU Internal Market Commissioner said he would prefer to see the EU concentrate on existing areas like the Common Market rather than pushing ahead in new areas.

The treaty embraces the areas where the union can act, especially in security and fighting crime. It also brings into force the Charter of Fundamental Rights that covers the complete spectrum of people’s lives.