International

In 2005 the Dutch people overwhelmingly said ‘no’ to the constitutional treaty, just as the French had done some days before. In contrast to the Irish, this was the first time the Dutch people had been allowed a say about the future of Europe; and they made it clear that they didn’t like the way it was heading. Did they want to get out of the EU? No - the Dutch are big supporters of EU membership, just like the Irish, but they don’t want Europe to develop into a federal superstate.

The government must conduct a criminal investigation into the sale of tanks to Chile, according to SP Member of Parliament and military affairs spokeswoman Krista van Velzen. Two officers have been arraigned by the South American country’s courts on suspicion of accepting kickbacks in connection with the sale.