Sir, - John Lacken (April 28th) states that the date fixed for the Irish referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty was chosen "in the best interests of the European Parliament". This statement is without foundation. The European Parliament has expressed no view on the timing of this referendum.
Parliament considers that the timing of any national referendum is entirely for the Government of the country concerned. - Yours etc., Jim O'Brien,
Head of European Parliament Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.