Ahern questioned on treaty referendum date

THE EU reform treaty referendum date has still not been set, but Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said "it really is a question about the day of the week".

He told the Dáil that the Government was considering the second week in June, but he wanted to consult Opposition leaders, and then "we will sign off" on the date.

"I am conscious the second Nice referendum was held on a Saturday. I am told the previous one was held on a Thursday, as was the general election," he said.

Alan Shatter (FG, Dublin South) expressed concern about the referendum being held in June when Leaving Certificate students eligible to vote "will be focused on their exams". Mr Ahern said the chosen week "is a period where university exams are ending and the main bulk of the second-level exams" would be finished.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said that consulting the Opposition "is like being told we can have any colour as long as it's black".

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny expressed concern that how EU commissioner Peter Mandelson was negotiating the World Trade Organisation talks "will have an impact on the referendum".

Mr Ahern said "our fear has been that Mandelson would move beyond" the agreed remit. "We have made the position very clear to president Barroso, member states and everybody else. I do not want to be overly critical of any commissioner, but I do not understand the logic of anyone moving to a position in the absence of action by the US."

Sinn Féin's Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked if Mr Ahern would accept "the first judgment of the people and that he will not seek a further referendum if the answer does not favour his position". Mr Ahern replied that at the Sinn Féin ardfheis Mr Ó Caoláin said he was totally pro-European "but he is against everything we try to do in Europe". Mr Ó Caoláin said that "the Taoiseach is not prepared to answer the question".

Earlier, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern agreed with Fine Gael foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins that the Referendum Commission should intervene if inaccurate claims were made during the campaign. Mr Ahern said: "I expect it will respond to and deal with issues in an objective way in order that there is no fear of misinformation."

A referendum website, reformtreaty.ie had been established, a 22-page guide had been published, available in English, Irish, Braille and an audiovisual version and this guide would be sent to every household in the State.