Government urged to scrap referendum broadcasting rules

The Government was today urged to scrap the rule demanding equal broadcasting coverage be given to the Yes and No camps in referendum campaigns.

The joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution claimed broadcasters felt they were being straitjacketed into giving the same air time to both sides, even if the opposition was tiny.

Eugene Regan, Fine Gael Senator, said last year’s Lisbon Treaty campaign showed the 50/50 requirement had destroyed informed debate.

All members of the committee supported the failed document, which is expected to be put to the people again in the autumn.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0402/breaking76.htm

Swing in favour of Lisbon treaty

The latest poll shows that 51 per cent would now vote Yes to the treaty in a referendum, an increase of eight points since the last Irish Times poll in November, with 33 per cent saying they would vote No, a drop of six points. There are still 16 per cent in the “Don’t Know” category (down 2 points). When undecided voters are excluded, the Yes side has 60.7 per cent, with 39.3 per cent in the No camp. That compares to the referendum result last June of 53.4 per cent No and 46.6 per cent Yes.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0216/breaking15.htm

Government will agree to Lisbon re-run

The Irish government will give a general commitment to attempt to ratify the Lisbon Treaty when the European Council meets in early December, but will resist pressure from European leaders seeking a date for a second Irish referendum.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is likely to give a commitment to attempt a ratification of the treaty pending declarations from the other EU member states on abortion, neutrality and tax. These declarations could be completed by the end of the year.

Cowen will tell EU leaders that a ratification will not be possible before the European Parliament elections scheduled for June, which will now have to be held under the old Nice Treaty rules.

http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=37275-qqqx=1.asp

Bruton: We need second Lisbon vote

EU AMBASSADOR to the United States and former taoiseach John Bruton has called for a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty because Irish people did not understand it when they rejected it the first time.

Mr Bruton said people should be given a “second opportunity” to vote on the treaty, but warned that another rejection would be “a very serious setback” for the country. Addressing the special Oireachtas Committee on the Lisbon treaty, Mr Bruton said: “If I was pushed into a corner and asked I would say I would favour a second referendum.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=76183-qqqx=1.asp

Disunity in the pro Lisbon camp

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been forced to abandon plans for a new high-powered body to salvage the Lisbon Treaty amid ongoing disunity in the 'Yes' camp.

The Dail was due to be recalled this week to set up the cross-party committee to examine the outcome of June's referendum defeat and decide on the future of the treaty ratification.

But failure to reach agreement with Fine Gael and Labour has resulted in the plan being dropped.

Although it is widely acknowledged there will have to be a second referendum, the Government is aware it needs to keep the other 'Yes' parties onside.

The Government is now weighing up its options, but is not in favour of passing the problem on to an existing Dail committee covering European affairs. The move comes as pressure continues to be brought to bear on the Government to come up with a solution.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cowen-is-forced-to-abandon-summit-on-lisbon-1466728.html

Cowen admits second Lisbon referendum must be an option

THE Taoiseach conceded yesterday that the Government would have to consider the prospect of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Brian Cowen refused to rule out the option when he said that his colleagues would consider the need for another referendum in "due course".

But he also said more time was needed to analyse what had happened on June 12 when the public voted 'No'.

Mr Cowen's comments follow hot on the heels of those of European Affairs Minister of State Dick Roche, who said he felt a second referendum would ultimately be needed to solve the current impasse.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cowen-admits-second-lisbon-referendum-must-be-an-option-1464568.html

Minister admits we need new Lisbon Referendum

EUROPEAN Affairs Minister Dick Roche raised the prospect of a second Lisbon Treaty referendum last night, saying he believes it is "the appropriate response" to the country's continuing political crisis.

Mr Roche's controversial comments, in an interview with the Irish Independent, came as the Catholic Primate of All Ireland yesterday voiced fears that some Christians had voted against the treaty because the EU was becoming ever more secular in its outlook.

Mr Roche said: "My personal view is that a referendum is the appropriate response to the position we are in. This is very much a personal view at this stage."

He added: "If we want to retain our position as a constructive EU member state, we cannot simply sit on our hands, as some would have us do, and keep saying that 'No' means 'No'."

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/minister-admits-we-need-new-lisbon-poll-1462444.html