Fine Gael and Labour have claimed that the abortion referendum process has been undermined by the failure to give the Referendum Commission enough time to distribute information.
With just 18 days to polling day, Labour's environment spokesman, Mr Eamon Gilmore, yesterday called for a deferral of the referendum. Both of the main Opposition parties yesterday condemned the Government after the Referendum Commission said it did not have enough time to send an information leaflet to every household in the State. This is the first time this has happened since the judgment in the McKenna case barred the Government from funding partisan campaigns.
Fine Gael's campaign director, Ms Nora Owen, said the Government was "dumbing down" the debate, suggesting the delay was a deliberate act to undermine the Referendum Commission's role.
Opening his party's ardfheis at Citywest last night, Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan said the affair was a "stunning example of Government incompetence".
While the date for the poll was set on February 1st, the commission only had its funding approved by the Cabinet on February 5th, had its chairman appointed by the Chief Justice on February 9th, and met for the first time last Tuesday, on February 12th.
It will finalise its booklet over the weekend and hopes it will be printed next Thursday.
Mr Gilmore said: "It almost defies belief that not only will the full text of the 25th Amendment of the Constitution (Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy) Bill, 2001, not be reproduced on the polling card going to voters, but neither will it, apparently, be on display in polling stations."
Earlier, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, maintained that the Government had acted quickly to set up the Referendum Commission soon after the date for the poll was set.
The commission, chaired by the former president of the High Court, Mr Justice Morris, has said it was not given enough time to distribute an information booklet to every household.
Following changes to the Referendum Act last December, the commission is no longer obliged to explain both sides of the argument. Instead, it has to explain the subject matter as simply and effectively as possible and promote public awareness that a referendum is taking place.
The commission is examining alternative means of distributing its information booklet, and will also run radio and television advertising campaigns.
Ms Owen said: "Only two days after commencing its work, the commission has done the honourable thing: put its hands up and admitted it cannot carry out its job properly in the time given it by the Government. The commission's own candour serves to expose the Government's role in undermining its work from the very outset."