Lisbon vote, part 2, should be brought forward to June

THE saying that “it never rains but it pours” has never been so true as now for Ireland.

Coping with the property market bubble bursting, the global economic climate and the exposure of Irish banks and the entire economy, the Government has still to deal with the issue of the Lisbon Treaty and its relationship with the EU.

When the idea of giving the job of Irish commissioner to EU’s US ambassador, John Bruton was floated, the Government reacted with alarm. “We don’t have to think about that just yet”, was the reaction.