A second referendum in Ireland regarding the nation's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty -- an agreement that would reorganize governance of the European Union -- will be held before the end of October 2009, the French government announced Thursday at a summit in Brussels. Ireland agreed to hold a second vote after changes to the treaty were made that would "ease Irish fears that the E.U. would strip away long-held Irish provisions, such as those that outlaw abortion and guarantee workers' rights, and would dilute health and education standards."
