- NSFW -

Irish ministers have reacted robustly to the French president’s remark that the Republic of Ireland should hold a new referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. European Affairs Minister Dick Roche said “it is far, far too early to be talking about a referendum or about some specific policy to go forward”.

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said Ireland would not be bullied

Mr Sarkozy will visit Dublin on Monday, seeking a way ahead after Irish voters rejected the EU treaty on 12 June…

Mr Sarkozy was quoted as saying “the Irish will have to vote again”. He was speaking to deputies from his conservative UMP party in Paris on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Martin said Mr Sarkozy would be “in listening mode” during his visit to Dublin.

“We’re not entertaining any prospect or any bullying from anybody,” he said. “We’ll be looking at it from an Irish perspective and what’s in the best interests of Ireland.”

Reacting “robustly” sounds more like Sarkozy “can stick his 2nd vote where it will do the most good”.

And, uh, thanks to some Irish Rugby fans for the poster.