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Speaking today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Socialist Party MEP Joe HIggins demanded a referendum in Ireland on any proposed amendment to the Lisbon Treaty to give the EU powers to impose punitive conditions on member states which seek financial assistance.

The government and senior diplomats in the Department of Foreign Affairs are dreading the possibility of having to run another referendum on treaty changes that will allow Ireland and other countries who fail to meet the deficit GDP ratio targets to have their voting rights in the EU Commission removed as punishment.