Irish threat to new EU treaty

Jun. 11 - Plans to reform the European Union's creaking institutions could be thrown into disarray by voters in one of the bloc's smallest nations.

Ireland is holding a referendum on the Lisbon treaty.

Recent polls show the 'No' camp building support ahead of the poll, with one survey in the Irish Times last week showing opponents of the reform treaty in the lead for the first time.

Growing opposition has sent shock waves through Brussels where policy chiefs fear a 'No' from one of the smallest countries in the 27-nation bloc would derail the replacement for a constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.

Sonia Legg reports.