EU treaty faces rejection in Ireland as polls suggest a ‘No’ vote

The European Union’s new Lisbon Treaty is under threat according to the latest opinion polls ahead of Ireland’s referendum.

Ireland is the only member of the 27-nation bloc holding a popular ballot on the agreement and if the ‘no’ vote holds sway its the end of the line for the treaty.

The ‘no’ vote has seen a huge jump of 17 percentage points with the ‘yes’ camp slumping five.

The Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, Ireland’s three main political parties, the congess of trade unions, the farming lobby and the business confederation all back the accord.

In a last ditch attempt to get a ‘yes’ vote Cowen has resorted to appealing to the Irish nation’s largely pro-European instincts.

All Brussels can do is wait, watch and hope for a ‘yes’ vote when the results are announced on June 12th, if not it is back to the drawing board…again.

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