Referendum body gets record budget

THE independent body responsible for informing the public on referenda has been given a record budget for the second round of the Nice Treaty campaign.

Set up by Environment Minister Martin Cullen yesterday, the Referendum Commission has a budget of €3.5 million.

The figure is €330,000 more than was allocated for the first referendum in June 2001, despite the fact the commission’s remit has been reduced in the intervening period.

The harsh lessons of rushing the literature during the Abortion Referendum have been learned as the Government has established the commission three months ahead of the crunch vote. The Government was widely criticised for giving the commission just three weeks to prepare and produce a full information campaign on the abortion issue.

The commission is chaired by former Chief Justice Thomas Finlay, and the other members are Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell; Ombudsman Kevin Murphy; the Clerk of the Dáil, Kieran Coughlan, and the Clerk of the Seanad, Deirdre Lane.

The commission is obliged to inform the public that the referendum is taking place and the wider issues involved, but it is no longer responsible for putting forward the pros and cons of acceptance or rejection.

The commission’s Yes and No arguments from the first Nice Treaty referendum were blamed for adding to the confusion of the electorate.

The commission will also decide upon which bodies are officially recognised as the Yes and No camps.

Minister Cullen said the appointment provides the commission with the time and support needed to execute their responsibilities.

It also offers greater opportunity for enhanced debate and discussion among the voters on the issue of Nice, he said. “The commission has expressed the view that in the past they have not been given sufficient time to carry out their functions and to that end, today’s announcement is a positive development,” the minister said.

The Nice Treaty is of great significance to Ireland and the part the country plays in Europe, Minister Cullen added.

“I am confident that the information provided by the commission will increase public awareness, which will result in the electorate being in a position to make an informed decision at the forthcoming referendum and express that decision by coming out on polling day to cast their votes,” the minister added.