A round-up of treaty-related news and events.
Czech minister warns of crisis
Ireland is the only EU member state holding a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. So what will happen if Ireland says No? Foreign minister of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg offered this view to a Czech news agency yesterday: "If the result is not positive, a usual European crisis will start. Then we will look for some solution."
Eurocrats anxious, says 'Economist'
Irish officials in Brussels are taking no chances on the outcome of the referendum, according to an article in the current edition of The Economist, which claims "anxious" Eurocrats have started booking flights home for the vote on June 12th. Explained one: "I don't want to be blamed if it's a No."
Ruairí v Joe, live on the web
Today's debate between Ruairí Quinn and Joe Higgins at the National Forum on Europe, from 11am, will be streamed live via the forum's website - www.forumoneurope.ie
Slovakia signs up, eventually
Incidentally, 13 member states have ratified the treaty to date - Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
One of the latest to sign up, Slovakia, did so only after a two-month stand-off between the left-wing coalition of prime minister Robert Fico and the centre-right opposition.
Opposition parties refused to vote for the treaty in protest at the government's proposal for a new media law, reports the independent website EUbusiness.com. The Hungarian Coalition Party eventually broke ranks and decided to vote for the treaty "to protect Slovakia's good name abroad".]#
Events today
11amNational Forum on Europe, plenary session. The Lisbon Treaty - what it means for social Europe. Keynote speakers: Ruairí Quinn TD, chairman, Irish Alliance for Europe; Joe Higgins, leader of the Socialist Party. State Apartments, Dublin Castle.
11.30amProgressive Democrats launch of Yes to Lisbon campaign. Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Clare St, Dublin.
2pmFianna Fáil press conference on "Lisbon Reform Treaty - the EU and Peacekeeping". Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
6.30pmBusiness Alliance information roadshow on the treaty. Clarion Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick.
7.30pmEuropean Commission Representation in Ireland public meeting on "The Future for Ireland and the European Union". Speakers to include Dick Roche TD, Gay Mitchell MEP, Mary Lou McDonald MEP, Proinsias De Rossa MEP and Prof Brigid Laffan. Gresham Hotel, Dublin.
7.30pmVoteNo.ie (website edited by members of the Socialist Workers Party) public meeting. St Monica's Youth Centre, Tonlegee Road, Edenmore, Dublin.
8pmInformation and discussion session on the Lisbon Treaty hosted by Senator Alex White (Labour). Guests to include CPSU general secretary Blair Horan and author Peadar Ó Broin. Kielys, Mount Merrion, Dublin.