Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Government has not yet taken a decision on the timing of the referendum on the European constitution. However, preparatory work on the wording of the necessary amendment to the Irish Constitution is well advanced. The intention is that the referendum Bill will be published after Easter. As previously stated, the Government will try to ensure the maximum possible cross-party consensus.

The Government firmly believes that the European constitution is good for Ireland and Europe. It clearly expresses the Union's core values, objectives and principles and will help it to function in a more effective, transparent and democratic way. In so doing, it will not essentially change the nature of the Union, which has been and remains fundamental to our national development. There is every reason for Ireland to support the European constitution. The more people know about the constitution, the more likely it is that they will support it. A full and informed debate is necessary, and the Government will ensure there will be sufficient time for such debate.

The Forum on Europe continues to carry out excellent work under the chairmanship of Senator Maurice Hayes, whom I thank again for his contribution. It has an extensive programme over the coming months and only yesterday evening I was in Carlow for the first of a series of regional meetings. It has published very useful explanatory material.

My Department also published a leaflet and an explanatory guide to the constitution in the autumn. However, it is clear more needs to be done. Past evidence suggests that vigorous political debate, as reported on television and radio, is most important in stimulating public interest. The Government also has a duty to ensure that factual information is available to help the public engage with the issues. Publication of the referendum Bill will allow for the establishment of the Referendum Commission. As was the case in advance of the second Nice treaty referendum, it will again on this occasion be properly resourced and given adequate time to fulfil its functions. Furthermore, the Government, building on the initial material produced in the autumn, will in the coming months publish a detailed White Paper and in due course send summary information material to all households. Together with the European Commission, we will ensure that copies of the full text of the constitution will be freely available. In addition, my Department will shortly launch a European constitution website.

The Oireachtas also has an important role to play. The Joint Committee on European Affairs, which followed both the Convention and the Intergovernmental Conference carefully, has already held some useful meetings. All Deputies and Senators will have the opportunity to take part in the debate on the referendum Bill.

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