Cowen calls for 'viable' Treaty solution

Updated 14.58 Thu Jun 19 2008

Keywords: brian cowen, politics, ireland, european union, lisbon treaty, gordon brown, world

Ireland's Taoiseach Brian Cowen has called for a Lisbon Treaty solution which is "viable" for both Ireland and the rest of the EU.

Speaking in Brussels before tough questions over his country's rejection of the Treaty, he said an answer had to be found ensuring that Ireland continues to play its role in the EU - and an answer acceptable to the Irish people.

Mr Cowen said an answer had to be found ensuring that Ireland continues to play its role in the EU - and an answer acceptable to the Irish people

Mr Cowen arrived early in Brussels to hold talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso - who on Wednesday attacked the failure of EU governments to spread a positive message about the bloc without mentioning Ireland by name.

When Ireland rejected the Nice Treaty almost ten years ago, extra assurances were given on Irish neutrality and abortion and the treaty was passed at a second referendum a year later.

Mr Cowen may be expected to come up with a similar plan to convince Irish voters to accept the Treaty if it is put to the vote again.

Gordon Brown is among heads of state at the crisis summit on the future of the Treaty, which the majority of the 27 EU leaders do not want to scrap.

The UK is one of 19 EU member states to have ratified the Lisbon Treaty so far.