RTÉ News has learned that the Government is committed to the principle of holding a referendum on the Treaty of Nice. EU leaders agreed the treaty last month after a marathon summit. It is understood that the referendum is likely to take place before the summer holiday period with a likely date in May.
The process of the Government's legal advisers studying official text of the Treaty agreed at Nice has still to be completed. However, it is the understanding of RTÉ News that the coalition is already committed to the idea of putting the agreement to the people in a Referendum and urging a Yes vote. The question has been discussed informally at cabinet level. It is understood that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs are among those who support the holding of a Referendum. No firm date has yet been fixed.
The Referendum will test the amount of apathy, opposition and support for Europe in present day Ireland. It will be interesting to see if issues like the current Brussels/Dublin row over budgetary policy and the Euro-wary sentiments recently articulated last year by Síle De Valera and Mary Harney will figure in the debate. The attitude of the farming community, traditionally a staunch pro-EU sector, but currently troubled by Europe's BSE problems, will also have a bearing on the outcome. Other issues likely to figure in the discussions include the implications of EU enlargement for Ireland and the contentious question of European security and defence.
