Cowen to give Lisbon poll date in fortnight

TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen will name the exact date for the Lisbon Treaty referendum when legislation to allow it take place goes through the Dáil and Seanad in a fortnight’s time.

Mr Cowen told Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny that “I have indicated that early October is the date. We should bring the Bill to the House” and at that stage “we can state clearly what is the date for reasons relating to how referenda operate”.

Earlier during Dáil Question Time Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea said forthcoming legislation on the European Defence Agency (EDA) was necessary to address doubts expressed during the Lisbon Treaty referendum campaign last year about the agency’s impact on neutrality.

“Ireland’s participation in the agency is focused on the development of capabilities for the protection of our troops in particular when they are deployed on UN-led or UN-mandated peace support operations. It is essential that the Defence Forces have access to the latest developments in these fields so as we can provide the best protection possible for our troops,” which he said was his primary concern.

The legislation was required to “make it absolutely clear to people who have doubts” that “any project in which Ireland gets involved under the EDA will be simply and solely to advance the capability, capacity and safety of our troops when they are performing the Petersberg Tasks, which EU troops carry out under a UN mandate.” Ireland had only engaged in one EDA project, which was about “developing communications systems, body armour, sensors and so forth to protect our troops when they go into dangerous environments”.

Mr O’Dea said the legislation “will provide that the Government and the Dáil must be satisfied that the project is for that purpose”.

Fine Gael’s Jimmy Deenihan had questioned why the legislation was necessary “given that our participation in the EDA is generally for our own benefit”.