The judgement in McKenna stated that the Government has a duty to give information to the electorate as well as to clarify issues which may arise in the course of the campaign, and must do so without advocating a particular position. Governments have carried out this role in all Referenda since the McKenna Judgement.
My Department provides funding to a wide variety of employment programmes and job activation schemes such as the Community Employment, Job Initiative, Tús and Rural Social Scheme. All funds that are provided to these schemes for advertising and promotional activities are on the basis of promoting the programme of work undertaken and the employment opportunities offered by these programmes. It is made clear in the instruction to all service providers, including sponsor companies involved, that the use of this funding is restricted to such promotional activities only.
There are four statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department. These are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
The Citizens Information Board funds and supports the network of eight regional Citizens Information Services (CIS). These CIS companies have a specific remit, governed by Service Level Agreements (SLAs), to provide information, advice and advocacy on a broad range of public and social services. These SLAs do not include the provision of funding to campaign or promote a position either in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda.
I can also confirm that neither the Pensions Authority, nor the Pensions Council or the Social Welfare Tribunal have engaged in any campaigns to promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
