Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the appointment of Mr. Justice Clarke as chairman of the Referendum Commission. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the commission will begin its work immediately? I am aware the report of the referendum commission chaired by Iarfhlaith O'Neill made strong recommendations that adequate time would be given for future referenda. Also, does the Taoiseach envisage that the referendum commission will launch an information based campaign or revert to putting forward the arguments on behalf of the "Yes" and the "No" sides? In my view the former is preferable because it is important that information be conveyed to the public. The Taoiseach referred earlier to the need for inter-party co-operation on the Lisbon referendum campaign. Does he envisage a structured approach in that regard?

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