Duplicating the case for a Yes vote

RECENTLY, along with pizza promotional and other commercial literature, I received from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) a leaflet entitled ‘The Lisbon Treaty 2009’.

I had understood that the Referendum Commission was the official source of unbiased information on the referendum and that the McKenna judgement precluded the Government from spending taxpayers’ money promoting one side. The DFA leaflet, while it does not say vote Yes, is in my opinion biased towards that side. When I phoned the DFA to complain I was told that research had shown voters did not have enough information before Lisbon 1.

I was given no answer as to why the DFA was duplicating the work of the Referendum Commission. The official I spoke to said 1.9 million leaflets were produced at a cost of €154,747.89 for printing and distribution.

Perhaps someone could explain to me how at this time of financial crisis, the DFA is justified in spending this money duplicating the work of the Referendum Commission. And have any other government departments plans to spend our taxes on duplicated material?

Enid O’Dowd

Moyne Road

Ranelagh

Dublin 6