Ireland: Row over potential charter 'opt-out'

Following the European Council summit on 21 and 22 June 2007, it emerged - to the consternation of trade unions - that the Irish government has reserved the right to follow the UK in "opting out" of future full, binding application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

The June summit agreed a mandate for an Intergovernmental Conference that will draft a "reform treaty" amending the current EU treaties by the end of 2007.