The news coming out of the EU summit in Brussels is less than encouraging. Apparently, the various representatives are preparing themselves for months and months of negotiation over the Lisbon Treaty. And that includes the Irish. Their Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, had this to say:
“It is necessary for Ireland to have time now to analyze last week’s vote and explore options … It is far too early yet for anyone to put forward proposals.”
True, there are few absolutes in politics. But the Irish ‘No’ result should be one of them. It could take the Irish Government all of a second to repeat this declaration to the other EU leaders. That they are willing to get embroiled in extended debate – which, according to foreign minister Michael Martin, may not be over by the time of the next EU summit in October – implies they have something else in mind.
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