Gilmore Concession As Ireland Faces Three Referendums

Eamon Gilmore has admitted there may be a referendum on Europe as Ireland faces the possibility of three major votes on constitutional issues next year.

Speaking to the Dáil on Thursday, Mr Gilmore said that if a referendum were needed to save the single currency and restore the economy then the Government should not be afraid to put that choice to the Irish people.

Mr Gilmore's comments come as Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader Éamon Ó Cuív TD called on Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to publish Ireland's response to a leaked letter from Angela Merkel and Nicholas Sarkozy demanding "compromise" on changes to the current EU treaties.

Meanwhile, influential political blogger, Stephen Spillane has revealed that Ireland could face three referendums next year.

Writing a guest editorial for student interest website, www.Studenty.me, Mr Spillane said the public would be asked to vote on the long awaited Chrildren’s Rights Referendum, on whether to abolish Seanad Eireann and on the European Union changes.

Mr Spillane wrote: "The usual 'No' groups will be out, Youth Defence, Sinn Fein, etc while the 'Yes' side will try and do a repeat of the Lisbon II with a plethora of groups aimed at different sections of society. Of course the debate may in the end be framed around 'Saving the Euro', rather than 'Creating Jobs' which will make the campaign very intense."

On Thursday afternoon, European leaders are meeting in Brussels in crunch talks to save the single currency and to beat out a plan on rearranging the current treaties in order to implement safeguards.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned that Europe is facing an unprecedented risk from its debt woes and said the crucial summit was the last chance to solve the crisis.

(DW)