Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the referendum on the EU constitution will be held in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8063/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has not yet taken a decision on the timing of the referendum on the European constitution. However, preparatory work on the wording of the necessary amendment to the Irish Constitution is well advanced. The intention is that the referendum Bill will be published after Easter. As previously stated, the Government will try to ensure the maximum possible cross-party consensus.

The Government firmly believes that the European constitution is good for Ireland and Europe. It clearly expresses the Union's core values, objectives and principles and will help it to function in a more effective, transparent and democratic way. In so doing, it will not essentially change the nature of the Union, which has been and remains fundamental to our national development. There is every reason for Ireland to support the European constitution. The more people know about the constitution, the more likely it is that they will support it. A full and informed debate is necessary, and the Government will ensure there will be sufficient time for such debate.

The Forum on Europe continues to carry out excellent work under the chairmanship of Senator Maurice Hayes, whom I thank again for his contribution. It has an extensive programme over the coming months and only yesterday evening I was in Carlow for the first of a series of regional meetings. It has published very useful explanatory material.

My Department also published a leaflet and an explanatory guide to the constitution in the autumn. However, it is clear more needs to be done. Past evidence suggests that vigorous political debate, as reported on television and radio, is most important in stimulating public interest. The Government also has a duty to ensure that factual information is available to help the public engage with the issues. Publication of the referendum Bill will allow for the establishment of the Referendum Commission. As was the case in advance of the second Nice treaty referendum, it will again on this occasion be properly resourced and given adequate time to fulfil its functions. Furthermore, the Government, building on the initial material produced in the autumn, will in the coming months publish a detailed White Paper and in due course send summary information material to all households. Together with the European Commission, we will ensure that copies of the full text of the constitution will be freely available. In addition, my Department will shortly launch a European constitution website.

The Oireachtas also has an important role to play. The Joint Committee on European Affairs, which followed both the Convention and the Intergovernmental Conference carefully, has already held some useful meetings. All Deputies and Senators will have the opportunity to take part in the debate on the referendum Bill.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I am disappointed the Minister could not give the House an idea of when he plans to hold the referendum. My question was drafted in such a way as to find out whether it would be held in 2005 or 2006. Will the Minister agree the recent Eurobarometer findings are extremely worrying? In view of the fact that France plans to hold a referendum in May and Denmark in September, will he agree it would be very wise of us to hold the referendum before the UK turns its attention to a referendum after its general election? There is a danger that people in this country will be influenced by the British tabloid press and by one of the major news channels, and that people's views will be moulded and influenced by what will happen in the UK rather than here. The Minister is being extremely foolish in not focusing minds by deciding on a date for this year.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I do not accept I am foolish. I suggest the Deputy's party engage with us as regards consultation on the wording, which we would like to have——

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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We would do so if we were invited.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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——in advance. The Deputy's party has been invited. The Government fully accepts the need for complete information on this matter. I guarantee the House that full information will be given. We hope to publish the referendum Bill after Easter, allowing the Referendum Commission to be up and running and giving it sufficient time to disseminate information. On the Deputy's point about keeping an eye on events in the UK, we must make our own decisions.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of that.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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This is a sovereign decision by the Irish people. In the context of the EU-wide ratification of this process, we must take into account what other countries are doing. However, this is a decision for the Irish people and they will make the decision based on the information they are given in Ireland and based on the circumstances in this country. I have full confidence in the Irish people that once they have full information, they will make an affirmative decision on ratification.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I remind the Minister that there was a cock-up on a previous occasion and it must not happen again. The Minister should not think that people will be influenced by tomes of paper coming through their letter boxes. They will be influenced by leading political figures in this country debating the issue——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question, please.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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——in the open but also by the misguided views of some of the British tabloid press which has a total bias against Europe and all it stands for.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The time for this question is concluded.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I suggest the Minister is extremely foolish if he does not think that a fair percentage of the electorate will be influenced by some of the bias that emanates from the British media.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I happened to look at the Fine Gael website in which Fine Gael Members extol the virtues of the European constitution. I suggest to the Deputy that he put a few more statements on the website.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have a fair few there.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I will not accept criticism from the Deputy in respect of this matter. It is important that the Irish people are given full information. All the European member states, including Ireland, have until well into 2006 to make a decision on ratification. Much preparatory work is being carried out on the wording for the referendum to ensure it is right and on delivering full information to the Irish people in as simple a format as possible. This is a constitution to determine the future of Europe now that it is enlarged to 25 member states and so that it can be run more smoothly.

When any club or association decides to form, the first item on the agenda is the constitution, and that is exactly what is happening in the EU, given that membership has risen from 15 to 25. I believe that the Irish people accept that the work carried out by the Government during the Irish Presidency to bring this to fruition will stand it in good stead. Full information will be delivered to all households by both the Referendum Commission and the Government.