Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Quite right. The Crotty judgment has been referred to twice in the debate so far. It sets out the cut-off point and makes it clear that a referendum is not required where treaty change proposals "do not alter the essential scope or objectives of the Communities". This is the point at which the question of whether a referendum was required would be resolved. To put it at its simplest, it is premature to be getting ourselves into a tizzy.

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