EU revolt over Irish demand for Lisbon guarantees

IRELAND was facing a revolt by a number of EU countries over the demand for cast iron legal guarantees in the Lisbon treaty on the issues of neutrality, right to life and taxation.

Two days of discussions with each of the member states ended last night without clear agreement.

Several countries are worried the guarantees in protocol form will lead to a need to re-ratify the Lisbon treaty. Instead they would prefer simple declarations that do not have the same legal weight.