DRAFT LEGISLATION for the referendum on the European Stability Treaty is to go before Cabinet in two weeks’ time, on March 27th, a Government spokesman said.
No date for voting has been decided as yet. However, independent observers believe the referendum may be held on Thursday, May 24th or Friday, May 25th.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny expressed a preference in a meeting with Fine Gael Ministers last week for holding the vote by the end of May. He did not mention any specific date.
Referendums are normally held on Thursdays or Fridays. Since Thursday, May 31st and Friday, June 1st, would come just ahead of a bank holiday weekend, this might create difficulties including the possibility of a low turnout.
On that basis, voting on May 24th or 25th may be seen as more viable options. A June date other than the first of the month is considered unlikely because of a potential clash with State examinations, the European soccer championships and the Eucharistic Congress.
At the initiative of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, yesterday’s Cabinet meeting approved the drafting of legislation for the referendum, the 31st Amendment to the Constitution Bill. The Bill is to be brought to Government at the next Cabinet meeting, which will not be held for a fortnight because so many Ministers are abroad for the St Patrick’s festival.
The Cabinet also decided to set up a Referendum Commission. The chair of the commission must be a serving judge of the High Court or a retired member of the Supreme or High Courts. The other members of the commission are the clerks of the Dáil and Seanad, the ombudsman and the Comptroller and Auditor General, or his or her deputy.
The commission will be formally established and the chair nominated when the referendum legislation is initiated in Dáil Éireann. When the Bill has been passed, the Minister for the Environment appoints a polling day which must be between 30 and 90 days of making the order.
The commission’s role is to explain the subject-matter of the referendum to the electorate, by preparing a statement or statements on the main issues, along with any other information it considers appropriate. Since 2001, the commission’s role also includes promoting public awareness of the referendum and encouraging the electorate to vote at the poll.
