Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As I have dealt with the issue of the date, I will not repeat myself. The role of the Referendum Commission is to inform the public about the referendum and encourage citizens to exercise their vote. The earliest point at which it could have been established was the date on which the referendum process was initiated. We did this last week. In making the order for the establishment of the commission, the Government will give the resources, namely, €5 million, for it to carry out its task. The Bill and the explanatory memorandum are published and the debate will start here on the first day after the Easter break.

An extensive information campaign will be conducted by the Government to ensure that the public is well informed in advance. The information pamphlet on the reform treaty was given out before Christmas. Other information on the reform treaty can be accessed on the website, www.reformtreaty.ie. The consolidated text and the IEA document is available. That is also on the website and it has been given out to those who require it. The text of the treaty is available on demand. We have given it to Members of the House already. A detailed plain language guide to the reform treaty was published a month ago and the White Paper will be published to coincide with the debate here. All of these issues have been put in place.

I am not going to have a debate about what the European Parliament did because I am not answerable for it. I think that answers all Deputy Ó Caoláin's questions. I wish to ask him one question in return. Can he explain how his party at its recent Ard-Fheis said he was totally pro-European but he is against everything we try to do in Europe?

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