Coalition moves to end Howlin dispute

THE Government has sought to end an unseemly row between one of its ministers and the independent Referendum Commission by reaffirming its faith in the body trusted with refereeing campaigns to change the Constitution.

In a statement it said it recognised “the absolute independence of the Referendum Commission”. This came after the independent body had hit out at Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin over his efforts to find a scapegoat for the defeated bid to beef up Oireachtas inquiries.

The commission defended its interpretation of the proposed Oireachtas Inquiries Referendum and took exception to Mr Howlin’s efforts to criticise its chairman, Bryan McMahon.