Taoiseach calls for North referendum in March

The Government will make a decision on whether to hold a referendum on the St Andrew’s Agreement after Northern Ireland parties agree a position on the issue, it emerged tonight.

According to last week’s devolution timetable announced by the Irish and British governments, a proposed power-sharing deal must be endorsed by the electorate by either an election or a referendum in March.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said in Scotland that he favoured a referendum in March.

However Fine Gael has rejected the suggestion because it said the Good Friday Agreement was already overwhelmingly endorsed by voters north and south in 1998.

A spokesperson for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said tonight: “The political parties in Northern Ireland must first decide a position on a referendum.

“Then the Irish Government will begin a consultation process among political parties in the Republic and seek legal advice from the Attorney General on the issue.”

Any referendum may require a change to the Irish Constitution.

Mr Kenny said a unanimous vote by the Dáil parliament would offer any necessary political endorsement.