Lisbon and Hurling

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin says that the Georgian crisis has made EU governments more determined to push ahead with the Lisbon Treaty. Expect more stories along the same lines

Following a disaster of Caucasian proportions in this year's All -Ireland Hurling Final, Waterford politicians from the major parties have said that the result shows the need for Lisbon Treaty as, er, obviously the, er, abuse of its dominant position by Kilkenny required more rigorous enforcement of European competition law in the hurling market.

Asked to identify which part of the Treaty would help in this regard, a spokesman said that Europe had been good for Ireland, just as Ireland had been good for Europe, and, er, Ireland's competition legislation was largely modelled on the provisions of the Treaty of, er , Rome which of course was confirmed by the new Treaty. He couldn't immediately identify which article was relevant, but the people of Waterford could be assured that Europe was their friend.