Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Deputy Martin will recall that on my return from the EU Council meeting where the text of the treaty was agreed, I advised the Cabinet the following morning and the Tánaiste wrote to the Attorney General. It was made clear on many occasions that arising from the legal advice of the Attorney General the Government would act appropriately. Just this morning the Attorney General advised the Cabinet of her view that, on balance, a referendum would be necessary in order to ratify the treaty. For that reason, the Government made that decision just this morning.

I confirm that work on the fiscal responsibility Bill has been advanced in the past number of weeks and it will be produced in this session. I expect to have some further information tomorrow when the House discusses the statements on the pre-European Council. The Government will be required to produce a referendum Bill in advance of a referendum, to appoint a Referendum Commission, and to put in train the processes necessary to lead to the question to be asked in the referendum. The House will have the opportunity to debate the matter thoroughly and comprehensively so that people will be properly informed. The referendum will be a brilliant opportunity for Irish people to look to the future of the country, of our people and our place in the European process and an opportunity to consolidate confidence and investment in jobs as a consequence. The Government did not consider the timeline today but we will decide over the next period how best to deal with it. The work on the fiscal responsiblity Bill is advanced and it will be dealt with this session. I will give more details tomorrow about the process.

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