The House of Lords will vote later on whether to ratify the EU reform treaty – its final Parliamentary hurdle.
All 27 members states must ratify the treaty before it becomes law.
It comes amid calls for the treaty to be abandoned after it was rejected by the Irish in a referendum.
Conservative peer Lord Howell has tabled an amendment to delay the third reading of the bill to until 20 October in the light of the Irish vote.
EU foreign ministers have said member countries which have not yet ratified the treaty should still press ahead.
Lord Howell told BBC News: “The situation has changed totally.
“Our duty as an amending chamber is to really give the elected chamber, the Commons, a chance to look at it again and they certainly should do so.
“We do that by postponing it and then amendments can be moved later.
“The thing needs thinking about and it seems bit silly to close it all down now and ratify a treaty which is technically dead.”
‘British view’
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said this week he intended to continue with the ratification process.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the Irish result should be respected but there should also be a “British view” on the treaty.
“I think it is right that we follow the view that each country must see the ratification process to a conclusion,” he said.
“I believe it is right that we continue with our process and take up the Irish offer of further discussions about the next steps forward.”
Foreign ministers will meet for a two-day summit in Brussels on Thursday which is expected to chart the way ahead.
‘Arrogance’
The Irish Republic is the only member state to hold a referendum but the treaty can not come into force without the approval of all 27 members.
Conservative leader David Cameron said it would be the “height of arrogance” to continue to try to ratify it in the UK.
“People in Ireland have sent the clearest possible message that they do not want this treaty, they do not want this constitution and by all rights now it should be declared dead.”
The Lisbon treaty aims to streamline the decision making of the European Commission but critics say it will transfer more power to unelected officials in Brussels.
It includes removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7460576.stm
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