Noonan calls for referendum mechanism

The Fine Gael leader, Michael Noonan, has said a mechanism must be found for a comprehensive debate on any future referenda.

In an address to the Humbert School in Mayo, Mr Noonan said that the role of the Referendum Commission in particular, needs to be reviewed.

He said widespread confusion surrounding the Nice Treaty is evidence that a new approach is needed for the conduct of future referenda.

Real debate would be better helped if a 90-day period was allowed to elapse between the publication of a bill for a referendum and its passage to the Oireachtas, he added.

Mr Noonan concluded by saying that the main objective of the next EU summit should be to restore public support for Europe.