Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

I am disappointed the Minister could not give the House an idea of when he plans to hold the referendum. My question was drafted in such a way as to find out whether it would be held in 2005 or 2006. Will the Minister agree the recent Eurobarometer findings are extremely worrying? In view of the fact that France plans to hold a referendum in May and Denmark in September, will he agree it would be very wise of us to hold the referendum before the UK turns its attention to a referendum after its general election? There is a danger that people in this country will be influenced by the British tabloid press and by one of the major news channels, and that people's views will be moulded and influenced by what will happen in the UK rather than here. The Minister is being extremely foolish in not focusing minds by deciding on a date for this year.

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