Fianna Fáil has defended the Government's decision to hold a second referendum on the Nice Treaty as being "essential in the national interest".
The Green Party yesterday said it would be appealing to President McAleese to call a meeting of the Council of State and to consider referring the holding of a second Nice referendum to the Supreme Court.
The party's director of elections, Mr Paul Gogarty, said there was "strong legal opinion which suggests that the holding of the same referendum twice is contrary to Article 6.1 of the Constitution".
But Minister of State Mr Brian Lenihan said today the electorate would not be asked the same question in the second referendum.
"This time, the proposed amendment to the Constitution will make it crystal clear that Ireland will not and cannot join an EU common defence unless the people vote for it in a referendum", he said in a statement.
"It is now clearer than ever how and why the Nice Treaty is necessary for enlargement. The man who never changed his mind, never went anywhere. I believe that this is an occasion for a change of mind. It is in all our interests to vote Yes".
The referendum is expected to take place in October. The Treaty was rejected by 54 per cent of those who voted in last year's referendum.
