Creighton: We're ready for EU referendum if we have to hold one

30/01/2012 - 09:17:16

Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton has said she is very hopeful that a text on the new European Fiscal Treaty will be hammered out by tonight.

Lucinda Creighton was speaking ahead of a summit of European leaders in Brussels later, where officials will work on the proposed tougher budget rules for member states.

There is said to be growing confidence in the Irish Government that the measures in the treaty will not need to go to a referendum here.

A poll in The Sunday Business Post showed nearly three quarters of Irish people want to vote on the Treaty.

Minister Creighton said that if a referendum were necessary, she would be ready for the challenge.

"If we have to have a referendum, we will have one and do our best to make sure everybody has adequate access to information," she said.

"But if we don't require a referendum, we will move on and concentrate on the other priorities for this Government."

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