European Summit Could Include Deal on Lisbon Treaty; Impact on Abortion Laws Delayed Ireland's Approval

Source: http://www.nationalpartnership.org

10.12.2008 The possibility of a second referendum in Ireland regarding the nation's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty -- an agreement that would reorganize governance of the European Union -- is expected to be considered on Thursday at a summit in Brussels, London's Guardian reports. Twenty-five of the European Union's 27 member states have ratified the agreement; Irish voters in June rejected the treaty by 53% to 46% (Traynor, Guardian, 12/9). Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said Irish voters' reasons for rejecting the treaty included concerns that it would threaten Ireland's traditional neutrality and that it would impose on Irish laws, including those prohibiting abortion. According to Martin, one of several issues that contributed to voters' rejection of the treaty was a concern about a "competence creep" by the European Court of Justice, which some in Ireland view as gradually encroaching on the country's domestic jurisdiction, especially in terms of Irish abortion law (Phillips, euobserver.com, 12/9).

The Guardian reports that the Irish government has been "under pressure" from other E.U. countries to "find a way of agreeing to the treaty," which requires ratification from all member nations to take effect. The Irish constitution states that the treaty only can be approved through a popular vote. French President Nicholas Sarkozy, chair of the European Union, hopes to unveil a deal at the summit on Thursday in which Ireland would hold a second referendum "in return for specific promises aimed at reassuring Irish voters," according to the Guardian. The deal is expected to include assurances that the treaty will not impinge on the country's abortion ban, military neutrality or authority to set tax rates if it holds a second referendum, the Guardian reports. Martin said he "hope[s] by the end of the week to be in a position to agree [to] a road map forward" (Guardian, 12/9). However, Martin would not commit to saying a referendum would be the chosen course of action, adding, "There are perhaps other ways [to approve the treaty], but they are fraught with risks" (euobserver.com, 12/9).