The Government insists it will proceed with the fiscal treaty referendum even though Germany is delaying its ratification as the fallout from the French and Greek elections continues.

A spokesman for Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the referendum would proceed as planned, saying: “We’re looking forward to a positive outcome on May 31.”

The Government’s firm stance came despite confirmation from Berlin that the Bundestag, the German parliament, would postpone its ratification from May 25 until late June.

Chancellor Angela Merkel is under pressure from her Socialist SPD opposition party to go along with demands from François Hollande, the incoming French president, for a growth pact to compliment the fiscal treaty.

The vote on both the treaty and on the ESM, the new bailout fund, was due to take place on May 25 in Berlin. A special EU leaders meeting was unexpectedly called for just two days before this date, on May 23, to discuss growth and which Mr Hollande would attend.
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