The results of the TNS Irish Times Poll in this morning’s paper has put the cat amongst the pigeons. Giving the Irish No campaigners 35% to the Yes side's 30% the poll has caused panic. Here in Brussels the phones are ringing off the hook. Group and party leaders are in a measure of panic that surprises me as there is the inevitable plan B (for Bollocks).

The Ind/Dem Group has already requested that a debate be held in the European parliament in the week following the Irish result, a request that has hitherto been ignored by the great and the good in the Parliament.

Of course we must remember that the European parliament voted a couple of months ago to ignore the results of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Well, we shall see. Put it this way, if there is a no vote, and the Parliament refuses us a debate, then I predict certain disciplinary problems in the chamber. After all the authorities got upset when a handful of MEPs called for referenda during the signing ceremony for the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

When we held our 'Too chicken to hold a Referendum' protest, people mocked us. This morning all I can see is a headless chicken protest.