21/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Irish Green Party, which is a member of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, does not have enough support among its affiliates to campaign in favour of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty at the referendum to be held in Ireland later this year, probably in May. At a congress in Dublin on 19 January, only 63% of the members of the Party voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty; however, a two-thirds majority is needed to make it an official Party line. As a result, the affiliates will be free to express their own personal opinion in the referendum campaign, but the Party as an entity will not be able to take part in the debate. The European Green Party nonetheless welcomed the fact that a large majority of Irish Greens support the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. “Like the Irish Greens, the European Greens have a few reservations regarding the Lisbon Treaty, but we are very strongly committed in favour of its swift ratification, as it contains a series of major reforms and will reinforce democratic participation at European level”, said the spokesperson of the European Greens, Philippe Lamberts. (H.B.)