Govt attacked for rushing through Referendum Bill

Opposition parties have sharply criticised the Government for rushing the new Referendum Bill through both houses of the Oireachtas today.

The new law will see the Referendum Commission stripped of its responsibility to inform the public about both sides in a referendum debate.

Labour Party spokesman Eamon Gilmore accused the Government of rushing the bill into law to avoid a second defeat in the re-run of the Nice Treaty referendum next year.

He also accused the Government of stifling debate on the issue. Fine Gael said the haste with which the bill was rushed through is a dangerous development in a democracy.

Party spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said she believes the Government is using underhand tactics to pursue its own agenda.