Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeline for the referendum process for the EU Reform (Lisbon) Treaty in 2008; when he expects the referendum to take place; when the enabling legislation will be moved; when the White Paper will be published; when the information campaign will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30970/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The reform treaty will be signed by Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, on 13 December and is expected to be ratified by each member state before 1 January 2009. The Government has sought formal legal advice from the Attorney General on whether ratification of the treaty requires an amendment to the Constitution. It is anticipated that this question will be answered positively.

A date has not been set for the referendum but the Irish people will have an opportunity to express their vote on the treaty, probably in the middle of next year. Before a referendum can be held, the Oireachtas must pass the necessary enabling legislation. I assure the House that I intend to use both Houses of the Oireachtas to ensure we have the fullest possible debates on the treaty.

As Members will know I have already written to every Member in the House, those who are for the treaty and those likely to be against it, providing a summary of the treaty's main provisions and offering further briefing as desired. A number of Deputies have already taken up that offer. We will shortly be in contact with party spokespersons to arrange formal consultations on the treaty and its ratification.

A referendum campaign should be preceded by a very active information effort.

To this end a short explanatory pamphlet on the treaty will be published next month. A dedicated website will be established, dealing with the most frequently asked questions on the treaty. The Government will publish a non-technical guide to the treaty in January and a White Paper in January or February. We should make the language associated with this treaty as simple as possible, because the treaty approach is more complex than the constitutional approach.

In accordance with established practice, a well-resourced referendum commission will be created to give objective information to the public and encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote. As with the previous EU referendum in 2002, significant resources will be ear-marked for the use of the referendum commission. The National Forum on Europe will also be active and in the last few days I have written to the social partners, who will be involved, as well as all sides of this House.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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I asked the Minister this question at the European affairs committee last week and there is little more clarity now on the date of the referendum. At the committee meeting the Minister said he had a date in mind, which he would put to the Taoiseach. Has the Minister had that conversation with the Taoiseach and how has he responded? I am concerned because a TNS MRBI poll found that 25% of people were in favour of the reform treaty, 13% were opposed and 62% had no opinion. This side of the House is in favour of the treaty. Its institutional reforms and democratisation of the EU are right for Europe. However if people are to decide in a positive manner, the onus lies on the Government, which has negotiated and agreed to this and will sign on 13 December, to ensure there is an adequate information campaign. The Minister said he has written to every Member of the Oireachtas and that is true and welcome. However, I imagine most Members have decided how they will vote on this and I hope and anticipate most Members are well informed on it, although I do not assume anything. It is imperative that members of the public be informed. I am not sure what the Minister has in mind. He mentioned a leaflet next month. I do not know how much detail will be in that, but we need an active debate. There has been more media coverage of the "no" side than the other side and the Government has not shown adequate commitment to this.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I disagree with Deputy Creighton's last point. I agree there must be a vigorous campaign and more positive media coverage. Last week's full debate, facilitated by Deputy Creighton's colleague, Deputy Durkan, got virtually no media coverage. That reality faces us. One broadcaster I approached told me it was too complex. I do not agree it is too complex. The treaty is a complex issue, but it is not difficult to sort out the issues: a more democratic Europe that can make its decisions in a clearer and better approach, that will better protect its citizens' rights and that will be more efficient in dealing with the external world and in which the smaller member states are protected. I thought this would interest our media, but sadly it has not happened. With the glorious exception of The Irish Times, to which I give full credit, minimal cover has been given to this.

There is an information gap and we all have a responsibility to fill it. That is why I made the point that I want every Deputy, for and against the treaty, properly briefed so that there is no mythology on this treaty and we do not hear nonsense about tanks on the streets and our neutrality, taxation or sovereignty being undermined. This is about making Europe work better for every citizen, Irish and European. I agree we have a task but we are up to it and will focus on it.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has again avoided the question on the date for this referendum. The Taoiseach said it will be in the first six months of next year. He announced it at the forum for European journalists rather than this House, which is unacceptable. Deputy Roche said he has a date in mind. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has indicated it could be any time next year. Can Deputy Roche give us a timeframe for this?

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have a date in mind, to which the Government has not yet agreed.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Because of the complexity of this issue we would be foolhardy to rush into it. We must put in place a strategy to inform the Irish people, because when they are informed, they will vote "yes".