Martin to meet ministers on Lisbon

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin will meet EU ministers tomorrow for talks aimed at paving the way to a second Lisbon…

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin will meet EU ministers tomorrow for talks aimed at paving the way to a second Lisbon Treaty referendum.

The intensive round of political and diplomatic discussions in Luxembourg will focus on legal guarantees on workers' rights, social issues, neutrality and taxation.

The issues are believed to have contributed towards the Irish rejection of the treaty in last year's referendum.

Minister Martin is hoping that he can strike a deal with his EU counterparts that can be sold to the Irish electorate.

"We have to be careful that in getting what we want we do not upset those procedures for others," he said ahead of the talks.

"We have made clear, however, that these guarantees will form a key part of any package that is put to the people in another referendum."

It is understood the minister and his officials have been involved in intensive behind-the-scenes talks with member states in recent weeks.

The bilateral discussions aimed at ensuring a smooth passage for the required guarantees by the end of this week are continuing.

"Member states remain as helpful as possible to Ireland as we work in partnership to secure guarantees which we require to meet the concerns of the Irish people and respect the ratification procedures in other countries," said Mr Martin.

"We go into this week determined to secure an outcome which promotes both the interests of Ireland and of Europe.

"The results of the European elections have shown that the Irish people want us to move forward and to remain at the heart of Europe."

The Government hopes it can announce a deal at a summit of EU leaders and foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

PA