Funeral procession to Leinster House declares treaty dead

PROTESTS:A FUNERAL procession for the Lisbon Treaty was held in Dublin city centre last night by two anti-treaty groups. After the "cortege" had walked from the European Parliament office on Molesworth Street to Leinster House, Independent Senator David Norris declared the treaty dead as he read a eulogy.

"What I hope to lay to rest here today is the creeping and insidious militarisation of the European Union," he said.

"If we have learnt anything over the last European century, it is that we have more than enough guns, bombs and tanks," he said.

The protest by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) and the Campaign Against the EU Constitution was held to coincide with the EU Summit in Brussels.

Asked about the prospect of a second referendum on the treaty, Roger Cole of PANA said following legal consultation there was a case to be made that it would be unconstitutional to vote again on the same treaty that was rejected. According to article 6 of the Constitution the sovereign power derives from the people, he said.

Mr Cole expressed dissatisfaction at possible legal guarantees in the form of declarations being sought by Taoiseach Brian Cowen. "The only way to defend Irish neutrality is by having a protocol like the Danes," he said.

The "sustained attack on working conditions all over Europe" was also a concern, said Mr Cole, particularly at a time of difficult economic conditions.

Asked whether or not his organisation was gearing up to run another campaign against the treaty, Mr Cole said PANA would meet tomorrow "to review where we go from here".