Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
20 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the preparations he is making for a referendum on the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe; when this referendum is likely to take place; if there will be a concerted effort to provide information to the public concerning the details of the constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30099/04]
View answer36 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when there will be a referendum here on the new EU constitution; the way in which this compares with the ratification timetable of other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30267/04]
View answer75 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the proposed EU constitution. [28628/04]
View answer80 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the constitutional treaty for the European Union will be put to the people of Ireland in a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30024/04]
View answer102 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if booklets or information leaflets relating to the constitutional treaty for the European Union will be circulated to all persons within the State prior to any referendum on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30058/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 36, 75, 80 and 102 together.
Following the signature of the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe in Rome on 29 October, it is for all member states of the European Union to ratify the European constitution in accordance with their own constitutional requirements. The European constitution sets a target date of 1 November 2006 for the completion of this process. Lithuania became the first member state to complete its ratification process when its Parliament approved the constitution on 11 November.
It appears that referendums are likely to be held in 11 member states, including Ireland. While Spain will be the first member state to hold its referendum, on 20 February 2005, dates for the others have not yet been set. No decision has yet been made on when a referendum will be held in Ireland. In due course I will be publishing a Bill to amend Bunreacht na hÉireann to allow for ratification by Ireland of the European Constitution, and preliminary work is under way.
The Government is seeking to foster the fullest possible national debate on the European constitution, building on the excellent work done by the National Forum on Europe and the Joint Committee on European Affairs during the European convention and the subsequent Intergovernmental Conference. I welcome the intention of the national forum to focus its work on the European Constitution over the period ahead, and I also welcome the debates and seminars which are being organised by other groups and organisations.
As an initial contribution to the debate, my Department has published an explanatory guide to the European constitution, together with a short pamphlet. Both of these have received wide distribution, and are available free of charge to any member of the public who requests them. Information, including the text of the European constitution, is also available on my Department's website.
The Government will produce further information materials over the period ahead, including a full White Paper. A sum of €150,000 has been provided for in the Estimates for 2005. Information will also be sent to every household in due course. Exactly what form this will take is for further consideration. In this connection, I would also emphasise the role of the Referendum Commission, which, as was the case for the second referendum on the Nice treaty, will be set up in good time and with adequate resources to fulfil its dual mandate of informing the public and encouraging turnout.
