Referendum Campaigns

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015

Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Questions (457)

Clare Daly

Question:

457. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the more limited powers of the Referendum Commission, since the enactment of the Referendum Act 2001, have resulted in that body providing inadequate explanations of facts, and lack of assistance, to the public, to assist it in understanding the arguments for and against a referendum proposal; that this has resulted in serious flaws in the conduct of referendums; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation. [19788/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The principal change to the Referendum Act 1998 provided for in the Referendum Act 2011 was to repeal the provision requiring a Referendum Commission to set out the arguments for and against a referendum proposal. That change was made following the recommendation of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. Since that change was enacted 11 referendums have been held and a Referendum Commission was established for each of them. The report of each Referendum Commission, in relation to the performance of its functions, is laid before each House of the Oireachtas no later than six months after the completion of its work.

Section 2(3) of the Referendum Act 1998 provides that a Referendum Commission shall be independent in the performance of its functions. The publication of the report of the Referendum Commission that I established in January 2015 for the forthcoming referendums will provide an opportunity for further consideration by the Oireachtas of the issues referred to in the Question.