Country to vote again on EU expansion
The Government tonight announced details of a second referendum on plans to expand the European Union.
The issue will be put to the Irish people again in late October, in line with a pledge made by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern after last year’s shock defeat.
Mr Ahern, stung by claims that the last poll was not taken serious enough, has directed his Government parties to treat the referendum as if it were a general election.
And tonight he said the EU would face ‘‘an unprecedented and unpredictable crisis’’ if Ireland again rejected the proposals to enlarge the community.
He told the Forum of Europe in Dublin - established by the Government to boost EU awareness - that another defeat was not in Irish interests.
‘‘Ireland’s place is at the heart of Europe - and not at the periphery, like Norway or Iceland,’’ he asserted.
‘‘EU enlargement is the moral and political imperative of our time.
‘‘It would be a terrible event if Ireland were to vote No - a kick in the ankles to the applicant countries, who have worked so hard to join the EU.’’
The Taoiseach also stressed the importance of a declaration on neutrality achieved by his government at last week’s EU summit in Seville.
A perceived possible threat to Ireland’s traditional neutral stance on military matters was regarded as a key element that led to defeat in the last vote.
And a detailed statement from the Government tonight made it clear that assurances on that issue had been incorporated in the wording of the referendum proposal.
If approved, the terms will allow Ireland to ratify the Treaty of Nice, but not adopt any decision by the European Council in the future to establish a common defence policy without further reference to the country’s written constitution.
Effectively that means Ireland would not be able to stop other EU states from operating a common defence approach, but that Irish participation would be barred without a further referendum to change the constitution.
The Government statement said: ‘‘We are putting this beyond doubt. It is now time to move on to the real issues at stake in the ratification of the Nice Treaty - enlargement and maintaining Ireland’s position in Europe, which is crucial to our social and economic well-being.’’
The wording in the referendum proposal were welcomed tonight by Fine Gael and the Labour Party.
The fresh poll move was announced as the Daul rose for its long summer break.
But the house is set to be recalled two weeks earlier than scheduled to allow a debate on legislation authorising the latest referendum.
