Irish Government To Present Enlargement Referendum Bill This Week

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

03 September 2002

Reports have suggested that the Irish government is ready to present its referendum bill when the Dail reconvenes on Wednesday, although there is some uncertainty as to the likely date for a public vote in Ireland on EU enlargement.

Speaking at a meeting in Elsinore last week, Foreign Affairs Minister, Brian Cowen explained that he could not anticipate the government's decision with regard to a referendum date. Although other European Union members are keen for the second Irish vote on the Nice Treaty to take place before an EU summit on October 24-25, it is thought that the Irish authorities want to delay the vote until after that date, a fact which appears now to have been accepted by the EU, albeit reluctantly:

'It makes it easier for us if it is before the summit. It depends on the domestic needs of the Irish and we have to respect the fact that the Irish will decide,' Enlargement Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen was quoted by the Irish Times as observing last week.

The Foreign Affairs Minister went on to announce his full support for enlargement, echoing Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern's pro-Nice stance.

'Narrow, nationalistic notions of sovereignty have no relevance in terms of improving our nation's prospects in the world we live in,' he stated.

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