Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Maastricht Referendum.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

1 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if, in regard to comments made during his speech to the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis on the possibility of discussions with other party leaders on the establishment of a joint co-ordinating campaign with full Government backing for the Maastricht referendum, he will outline whether he envisages such a campaign providing for information on both the positive and negative implications for Ireland of the Maastricht agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

It is the Government's assessment that Ireland stands to gain from wholehearted participation in a union with the characteristics, policy balance and content of the Maastricht Treaty on European Union. As I said in my address at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, the Government will be urging the electorate to give a resounding "yes" vote in the referendum on the Treaty.

On an issue of this importance, it would, I believe, be desirable to secure as far as possible cross-party support to ensure such a positive result and it is against this background that I indicated I was willing to discuss with other party leaders the establishment of a joint co-ordinating committee for the campaign with full Government backing.

The Government White Paper will provide a comprehensive and factual outline and an objective assessment of the Treaty. I will be arranging to have copies of the Treaty itself freely available for inspection in public places and the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be publishing and giving wide circulation to a briefer and more popular version of the White Paper setting out the issues on which the people will be asked to vote. It is envisaged that these arrangements which will be put in place soon will give every citizen the possibility of taking a balanced and informed view of the issues in the forthcoming referendum.

Proinsias De Rossa

Could the Taoiseach indicate when he expects the referendum to take place and how soon he expects the information he proposes to provide to be made available to the electorate? Also, does the Taoiseach intend to approach the leaders of the Opposition parties with regard to the co-ordinated campaign which he mentioned. Furthermore, does he intend to publish soon his decision with regard to the Protocol relating to the Eighth Amendment and what wording, if any, will be used to amend it or, indeed, does he intend to delete it?

The Taoiseach

The Government have not yet decided the date on which the referendum will be held. The White Paper is before Government at the moment for consideration. The briefer and more popular version will be circulated by the Department of Foreign Affairs after the Government have approved the White Paper for publication. That version will give the balanced view of the pros and cons of the Treaty and it will be available to every citizen to make their own judgment on it.

Mr. J. Bruton

May I ask the Taoiseach what is the latest feasible date on which the referendum could take place in view of our EC obligations?

The Taoiseach

We will certainly hold the referendum as soon as it is practically possible to do so when other obstacles are out of the way.

Mr. J. Bruton

Without unduly wishing to draw attention to the fact that the Taoiseach has not answered the question I asked him, may I repeat the question? What is the latest feasible date, in view of our EC obligations, on which this referendum can take place?

The Taoiseach

I am sure the Deputy is aware that the Treaty needs to be approved by all member states before 31 December this year.

Mr. Spring

In relation to the Protocol which the Government had inserted in the Maastricht Treaty, may I ask the Taoiseach if the Government have completed their consideration of the proposed amendment or deletion of that Protocol?

Have they completed their deliberations and what position are they taking?

The Taoiseach

In relation to what?

Mr. Spring

The Protocol.

The Taoiseach

That is a separate question. However, the Government have considered various options.

Mr. Spring

But what position are you taking?

Proinsias De Rossa

A Cheann Comhairle——

An Ceann Comhairle

There are several Deputies offering on this question. The House cannot remain unduly long on any one question.

Proinsias De Rossa

The Taoiseach has indicated that the Government are considering a White Paper on the Maastricht Treaty and are also planning a more popular version of the White Paper for general distribution. Surely he accepts that the question of the Protocol relating to the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is a matter on which the people will want information. Are the Government at present considering an amendment to or the deletion of that Protocol in parallel with consideration of the White Paper?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is injecting new matter into the question That is quite clear.

Proinsias De Rossa

It is part of the issue.

An Ceann Comhairle

The issue is worthy of a separate question.

Proinsias De Rossa

Could I make the point that my question relates to the Maastricht Treaty and the fact that the Taoiseach has indicated his interest in having a co-ordinated campaign that all parties in the House would support? The Protocol is a significant factor in the Maastricht Treaty. I simply want some information. If we are expected to support——

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a very distinct and separate matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

If we are to give our support then we should at least know what it is we are expected to support.

Mr. Taylor

Having regard to the fact that in the Taoiseach's reply to the question he said that he regarded it as important that the Maastricht Treaty be approved by the people, could I ask the Taoiseach whether he agrees that the clarification of the issues of information, counselling and the right to travel may well be a crucial factor in inducing many people to either vote for the Treaty or against it? Does the Taoiseach agree, therefore, that the Government should be urgently concerned to resolve those issues so that the people may be satisfied on the issues and will vote on the basic economic principles which underlie the Treaty?

An Ceann Comhairle

That issue should be raised in a separate way.

Mr. Taylor

No, I am sorry, but the Taoiseach said in his reply to the question that he regarded it as of the utmost importance that the Maastricht Treaty be approved by the Irish people.

An Ceann Comhairle

I know that.

Mr. Taylor

Arising from that reply, I am raising the question whether the Taoiseach agrees that the question of clarity of the position on information and counselling must be a vital factor in influencing many people whether they will or will not support the Treaty and, consequently, whether the Taoiseach intends to address that situation and, if so, how.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Roger Garland.

Mr. Taylor

That is a fair supplementary question.

Mr. Spring

That question invites a response.

Mr. Taylor

That is a perfectly fair supplementary question, arising from the Taoiseach's reply that he regarded it as a matter of importance that the Maastricht Treaty be approved by the Irish people. My question arises very fairly as a supplementary question from the wording of the Taoiseach's reply.

The Taoiseach

It is a matter that is under consideration. The Government are well aware of the importance of the matter and it is getting the urgent attention it deserves.

Mr. Shatter

That is a classic example of open Government.

Mr. Garland

I have two brief supplementary questions. First, does the Taoiseach agree that the proposal to make the Treaty — a 400-page document — available in public places is not sufficient? Does he not agree that a limited number of copies should be available for members of the general public who ask for it? Secondly, in view of the considerable opposition to the Maastricht Treaty by a number of groups outside the House, would the Taoiseach indicate that RTE will give equal broadcasting time to both sides to the debate, the "no" side and the "yes" side?

An Ceann Comhairle

Again new matter is being raised.

Mr. Garland

I ask the Taoiseach to answer, please.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy John Bruton.

Mr. J. Bruton

In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has told the House that the Maastricht Treaty must be approved by the parliaments of all members states before the end of the year and that those parliaments must presumably be asked to approve the Treaty with its protocols appended in their final form, could I ask the Taoiseach what is the final feasible date on which an amendment to any of the protocols must be agreed at Community level so as to allow sufficient time for the parliaments of all member states to approve the Treaty before the deadline?

The Taoiseach

Present information would suggest that the first country to hold a debate on the Treaty is Denmark, and that is due to take place in the very near future. Other information would suggest that the same pressure of time is not on us in relation to other member states.

Mr. J. Bruton

What is the final deadline, though?

Mrs. Fennell

The Chairperson of the Second Commission on the Status of Women, High Court Judge Mella Carroll, recommended that information and counselling be incorporated by the Government in the new wording of that accord to enable it passage. Given that fact, can I ask the Taoiseach——

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sorry, Deputy, that is a matter that could be raised in another way.

Mrs. Fennell

Given the fact that the Commission were set up by the previous Taoiseach to advise the Government——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy. I am going to move to question No. 2.

Mr. Barry

Could I ask the Taoiseach——

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy Barry.

Mr. Barry

I shall be brief, a Cheann Comhairle. Is it not a fact that the Protocol is part of the Treaty and that therefore the Danish Parliament cannot discuss the Treaty before Ireland had indicated the changes we wish to make to the Protocol?

The Taoiseach

What the Danish Parliament discuss is a matter for the Danish Parliament. It is not for me or for the Deputy to dictate to them.

Mr. Barry

That is absurd.

Mr. J. Bruton

Come off it.

Mr. Barry

That is a disgraceful reply.

The Taoiseach

I shall decide on the replies I give; I do not need dictation from the Deputy.

Mr. Shatter

Bring on Tom Savage now.