Parties warn on treaty poll wording

Labour and Democratic Left have asked the Taoiseach to change the wording of the Amsterdam Treaty referendum. They warned the Government it could jeopardise the treaty's ratification by putting two different proposals to the people in one amendment question.

In the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution Bill, the Government is proposing to ratify the Amsterdam Treaty and to add a new subsection to Article 29.4 of the Constitution to allow the State to exercise "the options or discretions" provided by the treaties establishing the EC, the Single European Act, and the Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties.

In a letter to Mr Ahern yesterday, the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, expressed his fear that this amendment procedure could affect the Amsterdam Treaty vote. The discretionary clause, he argued, could create a coalition of disparate groups opposed to the treaty.

It is understood Mr Quinn is also saying the promise to hold a referendum if there is any change in Ireland's policy of military neutrality is a political commitment rather than a constitutional requirement.

The Democratic Left leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, has expressed similar reservations about the proposed referendum, even though the party is also in favour of European integration, enlargement and democratisation.

He has stated the proposal to put two questions into one amendment is "a serious mistake". He wants the issue put into two referendum questions.

The Tanaiste told the Dail yesterday it is proposed to take the Referendum Bill ail next week.