PD's Sexton urges Government to drop EU vote plans

Progressive Democrat TD Mae Sexton has urged the Government to consider abandoning its plans to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution…

Progressive Democrat TD Mae Sexton has urged the Government to consider abandoning its plans to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution.

Ms Sexton claimed the ratification process "has effectively been scuttled" by the French and Dutch No votes.

The Longford TD said: "I think the Irish public would see it as being both meaningless and wasteful if we were to now proceed with a referendum in Ireland."

Her call comes in the wake of comments by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern that appeared to cast doubt on whether Ireland will hold a referendum on the treaty.

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Asked if he could still see Ireland holding a referendum on the issue, given the No votes in two important member countries, Mr Ahern replied: "I can't say, we will wait and see what comes out of the European Council meeting in mid-June."

Up to now, the Government has been saying it would hold a referendum on the constitution within a year, even if other countries voted No.