While we wish a hearty välkommen to Sweden as they embark on their six months heading the EU, things here are starting to hot up for the Lisbon Treaty referendum this year.  The Bill allowing the state hold a referendum about Lisbon this year is set to be published today. Today is also the day that the Referendum Commission will be set up – something that only can be officially done once the Bill is published.  
What is the Referendum Commission all about?
The Referendum Commission is an independent body generally established when a referendum takes place. It comes into existence once the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD, requests it and it is dissolved again within a 30-day period after the referendum has taken place. (On a quick note aside, while it will be the Department of Foreign Affairs who will be leading the Government’s campaign on the Lisbon Treaty, it is the Minister for Environment and Local Government, John Gormley TD, who is the man in charge of this legal choreography for the referendum as he is the man for voting, elections and referendums, just in case you were wondering…)
The Referendum Commission is composed by five members:

• A former judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court or a judge of the High Court.

• The Ombudsman.

• The Controller and Auditor General

• A Clerk from the Dáil.

• A Clerk from the Seanad.

The Referendum Commission was set up by the 1998 Referendum Act and amended in 2001 when it was removed of its statutory function. Basically its main role now lies in:

• Explaining what the referendum is about.

• Raising public awareness.

• Encouraging people to vote.

Once established the Referendum Commission will start putting together the materials needed to achieve these three main elements of its role. The Referendum Commission’s work has received a mixed reaction to some of its work over the years, so it will be most interesting to see the approach it will take this time around to providing the facts in an accessible yet balanced way.

What are the next steps for the Lisbon referendum?

Monday 6 July              
Referendum Bill published & Referendum Commission officially set up

Wednesday 8 July        
Bill debated in the Dáil

Thursday 9 July            
Bill debated in the Seanad

Friday 2 October          
Likely date of the referendum (it has to take place within 90 days of the Bill after being approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas, so there are not too many choices..!)

Interestingly, as part of the referendum language we will be deciding in the polling booth come October, we may also be asked if we would like to put a positive statement about Europe into our Constitution. We at European Movement Ireland would be very much welcome this move – we’ll keep you posted on this. 

Until next time.

The European Movement Ireland team. 

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