Cowen to brief EU summit on Lisbon demands

WHILE the rest of Europe is focusing on kick-starting the flailing economy and saving the planet from global warming, Irish eyes will be firmly on the Lisbon treaty at today’s EU summit.

But thanks to months of work and deft political meetings by the Government and civil servants, the outcome on the issue of Ireland’s ratification of the treaty could well be seen as a damp squib.

Contrary to some expectations, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen is not expected to name a date for a second referendum or even promise there will be a second vote — and he is unlikely to be pressed on this.