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The Irish prime minister was one of the first to arrive at the meeting. He'd already held a brief joint news conference with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and was meeting with Germany's Angela Merkel. He is getting lots of warm handshakes, pats on the back and touches on the arm, like a family member who has suffered a bereavement.

There seems to be agreement that Ireland cannot and should not be isolated: at least not at the moment. Angela Merkel has dismissed talk of a two-speed Europe. The official statement will definitely talk about giving the Irish more time and "respecting" the "No" vote.

But will the Czechs sign up to anything that talks about continued ratification? And will the Irish be expected to come up with a concrete plan at the summit in October?

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