Leaders of the five main political parties are to issue a joint appeal for a Yes vote in next Thursday's referendum on cabinet confidentiality. The parties' main concern is that if the referendum is not passed, the work of the forthcoming tribunals of inquiry could be restricted. The referendum, if passed, will ease restrictions on cabinet confidentiality.
The Labour Party leader, Mr Dick Spring, has written to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, asking him to give a specific commitment in the multi-party statement to return to the issue after the referendum so that confidentiality restrictions can be further relaxed at a later date. Labour sources said such a pledge would ease public concerns about the scope of the amendment.
A statement is being drawn up by the Taoiseach's Office and will be circulated for approval to party leaders. It is due to be issued to the public at the weekend.
The Government parties are united on the intent of the amendment, with the exception of the Progressive Democrats' former leader, Mr Desmond O'Malley, though he will voice no further opposition on it before polling day. The party's former deputy leader, Mr Michael McDowell, has opposed what he sees as grave flaws in the proposed amendment, as has the former Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald.
Following a suggestion in the Dail from Mr Spring that a joint statement would help to consolidate electoral support behind the amendment, a Government spokesman confirmed that work had begun on a draft. This will be sent to the leaders to allow for amendments.
Today's national newspapers carry a statement setting out the case for and against the proposed amendment. The Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, said that the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which meets early next month, could "revisit" the amendment. "I would not close the door to this, irrespective of the outcome on Thursday," he said.
The Green Party TD, Mr Trevor Sargent, said last night that because of the importance of the forthcoming tribunals, he would personally put aside serious reservations in order to ensure that the judicial investigations into political payments and planning could proceed.
A briefing document from the Greens' justice group says the amendment contains three serious drawbacks. It is flawed in that it restricts reporting to the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Garda details of cabinet discussions which relate to the commissioning of an offence.
It restricts disclosure by a minister of the reasons why he or she had resigned if that reason arose from cabinet discussions. It also curbs access by historians or researchers to the details of cabinet discussions, the document says.