Project to report on treaty outcome

THE GOVERNMENT has decided to commission a research project into the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has announced. He said the aim of the project would be to clarify the reasons underlying the rejection of the treaty and to provide information on public attitudes towards the European Union.

The Government took the decision to initiate the project at yesterday's Cabinet meeting at which Taoiseach Brian Cowen reported back on last week's European Council meeting in Brussels and his bilateral meetings with other EU leaders.

"The outcome of the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty requires serious reflection and analysis in the period ahead," said Mr Martin.

"At last week's European Council, it was agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation and that the council's October meeting will receive a progress report."