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Article: Ireland facing a new vote on Lisbon Treaty ; European leaders set referendum for 2009
- Article from:
- Belfast Telegraph
- Article date:
- December 12, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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European Union leaders yesterday endorsed a plan to revive the
stalled Treaty of Lisbon under which a second referendum will be
held in Ireland next autumn.
Irish voters delayed the blueprint to streamline the EU's
decision-making by rejecting the treaty in June.
At a summit in Brussels yesterday, the Irish government promised
to call a new plebiscite if it secures enough concessions by the
time EU leaders meet in June next year.
EU bosses hope the treaty will take effect on November 1 next
year, pointing to a referendum next October.
Although the Czech Republic and Poland have not yet ratified it,
Ireland is the main stumbling block.
Under concessions aimed at allaying the Irish people's ...