Finlay named head of Referendum Commission

The former chief justice, Mr Justice Thomas Finlay, has been appointed chairman of the Referendum Commission set up in advance of a second vote on the Nice Treaty.

The establishment of the independent statutory commission was announced this morning by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Cullen.

The other members of the body are: the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell; the Ombudsman Mr Kevin Murphy; the Clerk of the Dáil, Mr Kieran Coughlan and Ms Deirdre Lane, the Clerk of the Seanad.

Mr Cullen said the early establishment of the Referendum Commission would allow them the time and support required for "enhanced debate and discussion among the voters on the issue of Nice".

There had been criticism of the Government ahead of the previous referendum over the short timeframe allowed the previous commission to perform its duties.

The Commission's primary role will be to publish an impartial statement explaining the treaty and outlining the arguments of the pro- and anti-Nice lobbies to the public.

It will also be responsible for promoting public awareness of the poll. The turnout for the last poll - at just below 35 per cent of the total electorate - was the second lowest referendum turnout in the State's history.