Guarantees protecting the Irish Constitution as regards family, abortion and education from aspects of the Lisbon Treaty, plus the accompanying Charter of Fundamental Rights, have been published by the Government ahead of a second referendum in the autumn.
The text of the draft guarantee reads: “Nothing in the Treaty of Lisbon attributing legal status to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, or in the provisions of that Treaty in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice affects in any way the scope and applicability of the protection of the right to life in Article 40.3.1. 40.3.2 and 40.3.3, the protection of the family in Article 41 and the protection of the rights in respect of education in Articles 42 and 44.2.4 and 44.2.5 provided by the Constitution of Ireland.”
The Government says it is confident that it can get its European partners to sign up to the guarantees at meeting of the EU heads of government later this week.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michéal Martin, said that some of the EU members might want to change the draft but added that the “underlying mood” of negotiations was positive.
An EU summit meeting is set for this Thursday, and the Government hopes to have the guarantees, which also include assurances as regards taxation and neutrality, approved at this meeting.
If this happens, it may be in a position to announce a date for a second referendum later this week.