Ireland PM confirms EU vote plan

Brian Cowen said the EU had responded to Irish concerns

Ireland's prime minister has confirmed he is prepared to put the EU's reform treaty to a referendum again after winning assurances from EU leaders.

Brian Cowen said that on the basis of concessions agreed at an EU summit in Brussels, he was prepared to go back to the Irish people next year.

The Lisbon Treaty has been on ice since being rejected by Irish voters in June.

It would bring in a set of reforms aimed at streamlining an enlarged European Union.

Ireland wanted assurances that the treaty would not affect three areas of concern to the country's "no" voters - abortion, Irish neutrality and taxation.

European leaders are also believed to have promised that Ireland will keep its EU commissioner.

Polish backing

"I have said that I would be prepared to return to the public with a new package and seek their approval of it," Mr Cowen said after the summit.

"Today we have the clear evidence the European Union is ready to respond."

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A second referendum is now expected to be held before November 2009.

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he was pleased with the outcome.

"Regarding Lisbon, we have found a way forward with our Irish friends. Ireland will be offered a solution that reflects Irish concerns but ensures others do not need to ratify again," he said.

"Ireland I'm sure will understand how important it is for us to have Ireland with us and also I believe how important we are for them, as we have shown in times of economic difficulties."

The Lisbon Treaty needs the backing of all 27 states to come into force.

Poland and the Czech Republic are the only other countries which have not yet ratified the treaty.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski said on Friday that if the Irish public voted yes in next year's referendum, Poland would ratify the treaty too, according to Reuters news agency.

Agreement on the package of assurances for Ireland was one of three major decisions made by European leaders at the summit in Brussels.

They also agreed a package of measures to fight climate change and a multi-billion plan to help their economies out of recession.