That, of course, poses the question - why would such a concession be enough to persuade British voters to commit to support staying in the EU?

BBC: Europe's uncertainty about Britain

And there is a deeper British scepticism about Irish suggestions that just one more concession will provoke the long-awaited breakthrough on decommissioning.

ECONOMIST: Listening mode in Ulster | The

If they go ahead with the cuts the Royal British Legion is warning that other councils may follow suite, reversing a trend of recent years which has seen this concession become almost universal.

BBC: Harrow targets war pensioners