regards-citoyens

On Wednesday July 8th, the Dail has debated the Bill, followed by the Seanad on Thursday July 9th. This process, it is hoped will determine the language of the Bill, and early signals indicate that the Bill is expected to be passed by both houses.

Next week, on Monday July 13th, the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley T.D, may make the order establishing the Referendum Commission. On Thursday July 16th the Minister for the Environment could also announce the Referendum date.

The Bill, in its present format, includes a new subsection 4, which recalls 'the principles motivating Ireland's membership of the Union, confirming Ireland's commitment to playing a part in a European Union within which Member States work together to promote peace, shared values and the well-being of their peoples'. New subsections 7 and 8 refer to the opt outs on the Area of Freedom Security and Justice which the Irish Government had secured at the time of the Treaty's negotiation providing a greater role for the Oireachtas in that process.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin stated last night that the Bill, if passed, would 'give significant additional powers to the Oireachtas' over European affairs. Opposition parties' initial reception to the publishing of the Bill was positive however, there has been some criticism over the perceived lack of time that both Houses of the Oireachtas will have to debate the Bill.

Mr. Martin also confirmed that he has ordered €1.9 million postcards explaining the guarantees acquiesced to Ireland by the other member states at the June Council.