IRELAND NEEDS "patience and understanding" from its European Union partners, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said on the eve of today's visit by French president, Nicolas Sarkozy. MARK HENNESSY, Political Correspondent reports
In an opinion piece published in today's Irish Times, he delivered a coded hint to the French president not to push too quickly for Ireland's next steps in the wake of the Lisbon Treaty referendum defeat.
The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, who is a member of the same political grouping as Mr Sarkozy, the European People's Party, last night accepted the offer of a 10-15 minute meeting with him in Government Buildings. The Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore - who has said he is willing to meet him if there is time for a genuine discussion - has an even shorter appointment on offer. Last night, he had yet to decide on whether he would attend.
In his article, Mr Cowen said the "best contribution" Ireland could make to "the future" of the EU family was to complete its "phase of consultation and analysis".
"We need patience and understanding from our partners over the coming months as we complete that process," he wrote.
Last week Mr Sarkozy made it clear during a private meeting with French MPs that he wanted the Government to hold a second referendum, and that he wanted the decision to hold one taken by October.
However, Mr Cowen rejected the views put forward by some No campaigners who deny the right of other EU states to make any comments about Ireland's rejection of the treaty. The decision, he said, was "not understood" in other EU capitals: "The result of the referendum, as we said during the campaign, is not without consequences, not only in Ireland, but across the union."
Other states "are entitled to ask why the Irish people voted No. They are entitled to ask what the underlying concerns were, and whether they can be addressed.
"They are also entitled to remind us of their own concerns, and to ask whether the union's record of working for consensus is to be jettisoned on the back of the Irish vote," he wrote.
Over the weekend the French finally accepted that Mr Sarkozy should meet separately with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore.
In the original plans, the two leaders were invited to attend - along with up to 18 others - a French embassy reception to make three-minute presentations.
However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen became involved as he was unhappy the two were being given the same status as those with no electoral mandate.
Last night, the Government played down fears that Mr Sarkozy's visit could create new hurdles in the way of resolving the Lisbon Treaty crisis.
However, senior Government figures have privately accepted that the controversy surrounding arrangements for the visit has already caused significant damage.
Following his arrival in Government Buildings, Mr Sarkozy will hold nearly two hours of talks before his scheduled meeting with Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore.
Last night Mr Gilmore had still not announced his final decision on the meeting.
Afterwards, Mr Sarkozy will go to the French embassy to meet leading Yes and No campaigners, who will have the opportunity to make three-minute presentations.
Irish Farmers' Association president Pádraig Walsh said farmers' attitudes to the Lisbon Treaty would be irrevocably damaged if farming suffered in this week's world trade talks.