There is, of course, theoretically the possibility that the rest of the Union would tire of the UK and attempt to marginalise the UK, but airing the dirty laundry in such a spectacular fashion would be a major loss of prestige for the Union as a whole, so how likely is it, really?

- Jake

Ceterum censeo Chicago esse delendam

Minister Dick Roche's call for a re-run of the Lisbon referendum risks inflaming anti-EU sentiment in Ireland still further as it underlines the perceived "elitist" and "undemocratic" nature of the European project in the eyes of many NO voters.  These could well be joined by many YES voters from the last referendum if an increasingly embattled and unpopular Government is not seen to have dealt with the issues arising from the last referendum effectively.

These issues include, at a minimum:

1. An amendment to the Treaty enabling the restoration of a permanent EU Commissioner from each member state

2. A series of protocols clarifying the impact, if any, of the Treaty on Ireland's neutrality, commitments to joint EU defence and security cooperation, social/moral legislation such as abortion and civil partnerships, and the concerns on religious freedom as expressed by Cardinal Brady

3. A road map to address the perceived "democratic deficit" within the EU, including increased powers for the directly elected European Parliament and a clarification of the role of the new post of President of the European Council as defined in the Treaty.

4. If necessary, the Government should seek an authoritative ruling from the Supreme Court as to precisely which aspects of the Lisbon Treaty change our Constitution and thus require ratification by Referendum - so that all the disinformation, confusion, and lack of clarity which characterised the last Referendum can be resolved once and for all.

The people deserve to be given a clear choice, not some lengthy, complex, woolly and confusing document that is capable of multiple interpretations.  Let the highest Constitutional authority in the land - the Supreme Court - clarify precisely what impact the Treaty has on our Constitution, and then let the people decide whether they want it or not.

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'."

Minister Dick Roche's call for a re-run of the Lisbon referendum risks inflaming anti-EU sentiment in Ireland still further, as it underlines the perceived elitist and undemocratic nature of the European project in the eyes of many 'No' voters.

These could well be joined by many 'Yes' voters from the last referendum if an increasingly embattled and unpopular government is not seen to have dealt with the issues arising from the last vote effectively.

These issues include:

1. An amendment to the treaty enabling the restoration of a permanent EU Commissioner from each member state.

2. A series of protocols clarifying the impact, if any, of the treaty on Ireland's neutrality, commitments to joint EU defence and security cooperation, social/moral legislation such as abortion and civil partnerships, and the concerns on religious freedom as expressed by Cardinal Brady.

3. A further road map to address the perceived "democratic deficit" within the EU, including increased powers for the directly elected European Parliament and a clarification of the role of the new post of President of the European Council as defined in the treaty.

4. If necessary, the Government should seek an authoritative ruling from the Supreme Court as to precisely which aspects of the Lisbon Treaty change our Constitution, and thus require ratification by referendum -- so that all the disinformation, confusion and lack of clarity which characterised the last referendum can be resolved. The people deserve to be given a clear choice, not some woolly and confusing document capable of multiple interpretations.

Let the highest Constitutional authority in the land -- the Supreme Court -- clarify precisely what impact the treaty has on our Constitution, and then let the people decide whether they want it or not.

FRANK SCHNITTGER