Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the matter before the House, the Department of Foreign Affairs is seeking Dáil approval for a technical Supplementary Estimate to allow expenditure under subhead O of Vote 28, that is, in respect of the EU reform treaty, as Deputy Kenny said. Subhead O involves a new service under Vote 28 and, as such, Dáil approval is required before expenditure is incurred. A sum of €5.8 million will be sufficient. The stablishment of the referendum commission is dependent on hearing from the Judiciary regarding the name of the proposed chairman. The date of the referendum is not being announced today.

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