Rejection will isolate republic, warns Lenihan

A NO vote to the Lisbon treaty will isolate Ireland and damage its economy, including its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), Finance Minister Brian Lenihan warned yesterday.

The minister said FDI required Ireland to be at the centre of the European Union and rejecting the treaty could result in isolation.

Mr Lenihan was addressing the influential American Chamber of Commerce to the EU in Brussels.