Jump in support for Lisbon treaty amid timing row

AS AN opinion poll published today reveals a sharp increase in voter support for the Lisbon treaty, Fine Gael is at odds as to when a second referendum should be held.

The TNS/mrbi poll shows that a new referendum with security guarantees has the backing of a clear majority of voters with 51% voting yes, 33% no and 16% undecided. A similar poll, carried out in November, revealed 43% support for the treaty. Respondents were asked in the Irish Times poll how they would vote in a referendum where commitments were made on Ireland’s right to an EU Commissioner and legal guarantees on neutrality, abortion and taxation.

Meanwhile, there is disagreement within Fine Gael as to when the second referendum should be held, with party leader Enda Kenny saying October and one of his MEPs arguing for April.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea confirmed over the weekend that the cabinet had discussed bringing forward the referendum from the autumn to an earlier date.

Although he did not mention any specific date, speculation has focused on the possibility that the Government might run the referendum in tandem with the local and European elections on June 5.

But Mr Kenny warned the Government it would be a “serious mistake” to hold the referendum on the same day as the elections.

“Not only would the necessary public debate on Lisbon be overshadowed by the election campaigns, it would run the risk of the elections being turned into proxy referendums by the candidates whose only political platform will be one of opposition to the treaty.

“I call on the Taoiseach to clear up this confusion by confirming his original indication that the referendum will be held in October,” he said.

But Fine Gael’s MEP for Ireland South, Colm Burke, was clearly out of sync with his party leader, suggesting the referendum should be brought forward to April.

Mr Burke said Ireland could not afford to wait until the autumn before a decision was taken. “The uncertainty that was created by the last referendum result needs to be removed and the earlier it is removed, the better for the country,” he said.

Despite Mr Kenny’s call for the Taoiseach to clarify the issue, Brian Cowen was not commenting last night.

A spokesman said confidentiality was attached to all cabinet discussions, and that when the cabinet formally agreed a decision, it would be announced. But Mr O’Dea confirmed that the cabinet was considering “all options”.

“There are advantages obviously to bringing it forward and there are advantages to leaving it. We’re discussing the matter and we will be making up our mind on the thing ... shortly.”