Sensitive Debates Postponed Until Referendum Results

No campaigners are claiming EU staff have been instructed to postpone any politically sensitive discussion until after the Lisbon Treaty referendum.

The editors of VoteNo.ie, a major player in the anti Lisbon treaty campaign, say a letter instructing EU staff to this effect has been leaked to them.

A copy of a letter sent by Jo Leiman MEP and chair of committee on Constitutional Affairs outlines instructions to hold discussions on potentially controversial implementation plans in secret, or to halt them altogether, until after Irish voters have gone to the polls.

A statement from the editors of the VoteNo.ie said: "There were already rumours that a silent agreement to do this was in place, but this letter is clear evidence of that fact."

The revealed letter says: "It would therefore appear highly advisable that any document concerning the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon which addresses politically sensitive matters be examined only when it becomes sufficiently clear that the Treaty will enter into force."

Kieran Allen, editor of voteno.ie said: "This document proves what No campaigners across Europe have been arguing for months, that the elites of Europe hold nothing but contempt for the democratic rights of people of Europe.

The Vote No campaigners believe that the treaty, if passed, would undermine democracy, lead to a greater militarisation and centralise power into the hands of a Euro elite.

(DW/JM)