Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

Why will the Government not partake of the facility available to it to change the referendum date if events overtake it? In fact, events are overtaking it by the day. One month from today, 17 June, is a key date, with elections taking place in France which will, whether the Government likes it, affect the austerity treaty, as it is called here, or the fiscal treaty as it is called by others. Also on 17 June an election will take place in Greece. These events are epoch-shaking, yet the Government is insisting they will not affect the fiscal treaty in any way. Will it take on itself the power to facilitate the events that will make the treaty irrelevant?

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