First to report Ireland to hold new EU referendum, key to reform treaty

Reuters reported exclusively on Dec 7 that Ireland’s prime minister would tell EU leaders at their Dec 11-12 summit he will hold a second referendum on the bloc’s Lisbon reform treaty, but stop short of giving a date. Ireland’s acceptance of the treaty is essential if the European Union is to adjust to its enlargement and speed up decision making, essential for tackling the financial crisis. Diplomats told Reuters a deal had been struck between Ireland, EU president France and EU legal officials under which the Lisbon Treaty should enter into force by January 2010, assuming an Irish ‘Yes’ vote.