Date set for fiscal treaty referendum

The Government has given itself two months to get the fiscal compact treaty passed after announcing that the referendum will take place on Thursday, May 31.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore announced the date in the Dáil yesterday and said lessons had been learned from last year, when the Government held two referenda in tandem with the presidential election.

On that occasion, one of those referenda — involving a proposal to give Oireachtas inquiries greater powers — crashed to defeat.

Mr Gilmore said it was fair to say the presidential election had “overshadowed” last year’s referenda, and this was why the treaty would be put to the public on its own.

He urged the public to show “strong support” for the treaty, which will introduce a stricter set of budget rules in countries that ratify it.

“This is a treaty on stability and is about ensuring long-term stability, recovery, growth and jobs,” he said.

“It’s about confidence abroad and maintaining and enhancing the influence we’ve been rebuilding with investors, job creators, and with our European partners,” he added.

A weekend Red C-Sunday Business Post opinion poll showed the treaty was on course to be passed.

About 49% of respondents said they would vote yes, with 33% saying they would vote no and 18% undecided.

Mr Gilmore said it was “way too early” to read anything into the polls.

Asked if there were lessons for the Government to learn from the heavily criticised household charge campaign when preparing the information campaign on the referendum, he said the two could not be compared.

“The Government will put in place a comprehensive information campaign to ensure that voters are informed of the contents of the treaty.”

He also said the ongoing negotiations on a cheaper deal on the Anglo bailout was a separate issue to the referendum.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said his party would campaign for a yes vote, saying that while the treaty was not a “panacea” that would solve all the eurozone’s issues, it was good for Ireland and Europe.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said his party would be urging a no vote.

The National Youth Council expressed dismay about a weekday being chosen for the referendum.

Proposed amendment

Voters will be asked if they agree to making the following amendment to the Constitution:

“The State may ratify the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union done at Brussels on the 2nd day of March 2012. No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State that are necessitated by the obligations of the State under that Treaty or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by bodies competent under that Treaty from having the force of law in the State.”