Sarkozy denies asking for second Irish vote[fr][de] 

"I said that at some stage or another, the Irish had to give their opinion," the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency told the press on 21 July after being challenged over his "interference" in Ireland's domestic affairs. 

Amid public outrage over his alleged comments last week on the need for a second Irish referendum, Sarkozy was greeted on his first official visit to an EU country by angry protestors, who camped around the government buildings where he held talks with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. 

The French President also met the main opposition leaders and a selection of both 'Yes' and 'No' campaigners. Libertas leader and sponsor of the 'no' campaign Declan Ganley complained that the talks were being held as though the treaty were still alive despite the fact that it is "dead under EU law". 

Irish PM Cowen explained that the Irish Government would hold "intensive consultations" both domestically and with EU partners before the meeting of the heads of EU states in October in order to "develop a fuller understanding of the concerns" that had lead to the Irish people's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. He added that his government had made no decision in relation to a potential second referendum yet as the reflection process had just begun.

Speaking in the European Parliament on 10 July, Sarkozy said he hoped to see a solution on the Treaty in October or at the latest in December (EurActiv 11/07/08). 

During his visit to Dublin, Sarkozy welcomed a major, though narrow, domestic political victory as his proposal to change the French Constitution won the backing of the country's lawmakers by one vote. Among other reforms, the change is set to strengthen Parliament's powers and limit the president to two five-year terms.