NEGOTIATIONS TO find a solution to the impasse over the Lisbon Treaty will "go to the wire" at this week's meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said yesterday.
He indicated that the retention of a commissioner by each member state was the main issue being addressed by the Government. He said the Government was seeking "legal guarantees" that would copper-fasten Ireland's neutrality and tax sovereignty.
Legal guarantees were also being sought on ethical issues, particularly Ireland's abortion laws.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Mr Martin have both been involved in intensive shuttle diplomacy ahead of the two-day European Council meeting, which begins on Thursday.
Mr Martin, who flew to Brussels last night, said that a second referendum was not inevitable and a decision on holding one would be based on the outcome of the summit.
"I think it will go to the wire. That is my assessment at this stage," he said.
"Reducing the size of the commission is already provided for in the Nice treaty. Some states have stronger views on this issue than others. Some member states will be reasonable on this issue; some are not equally [well] disposed," he said.
He said that the appetite for reform in Europe has grown because of the conflict in Georgia and the collapse of financial markets.
"If Europe wants to be more influential in global affairs then it needs better co-ordination and the implementation of the reforms spelled out in the Liston Treaty."
Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs Billy Timmins said that Ireland should adopt the approach of Denmark following the Maastricht Treaty and get agreement on protocols that could be included in future treaties.
