EU strong-arms Ireland over constitution vote, and 'delays unhelpful announcements'

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Ireland is the only member of the EU to let its people have a vote on the Lisbon Treaty - which would introduce a constitution in all but name.

The Eurocrats are terrified the country will vote no and plunge them into a crisis similar to that of 2005 when the French and Dutch rejected a previous treaty.

Their boss Jose Manuel Barroso warned: 'If there was a no in Ireland, it would have a very negative effect for the EU. We will all pay a price for it, Ireland included.'

Brussels has also stifled debate on issues likely to cause anti-Europe feeling in Ireland until after the vote on June 12.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso earlier this month

A leaked memo revealed how Ireland's foreign minister Dermot Ahern had been assured that the European Commission would 'tone down or delay' any announcements 'that might be unhelpful'. These issues include defence, farm subsidies, and harmonising company tax.

Neil O'Brien, of the eurosceptic think tank Open Europe, said: 'This is classic Brussels tactics. Stage one is to try to cover up what the grand project really means, then bully voters into accepting it.'

Ireland was once viewed as pro-EU because of the handouts it received to build new roads. But the mood shifted as the grants were diverted to the former Eastern bloc.

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