Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will respond to Deputy Gilmore's questions in the order in which they were raised. On the reform treaty, as I stated last year, it can be reasonably assumed that a referendum will be necessary. However, a decision in that regard cannot be made until the Intergovernmental Conference document has been agreed. When that document is completed the Attorney General will examine it. He cannot decide until he examines the document and he cannot examine the document until it is completed. Based on experience, I do not foresee any outcome other than that the matter be decided by way of referendum. Technically, no decision can be made until the IGC process is completed, probably in November.

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