Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin today said May 31st is too soon to hold the EU fiscal stability treaty referendum.
"The late-May date for the referendum is too rushed and runs a number of risks," he said. It ignored the Referendum Commission’s strong advice, and the experience of past referendums - that a longer period for preparation led to the public being more informed, Mr Martin said.
“Last year we were promised longer preparation times for referendum information, but, in fact, we are go get even less time," he added. “It may not sink the referendum, but it is an unnecessary risk.’’
Speaking today at a meeting of the newly established Oireachtas sub-committee on the treaty, Mr Martin pledged his party’s support for the referendum. But he warned there was a real risk that next month would see a rising uncertainty relating to it in a number of countries.
Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, on behalf of the United Left Alliance, warned the treaty would cause further austerity if it was passed. There were 25 million people unemployed in the EU, and the last thing needed was a further dose of austerity, he said.
He called for a different Europe, “one free from the grip of the financial markets and the profit-seeking bondholders and bankers".
Speaking later today, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the date set for the referendum was 65 days from the time it was decided to have one. “This is a stand-alone proposition. It is not as complex and as lengthy as previous European referendums," he said.
Mr Gilmore said the French election, or any other election, was not a factor: "We have to decide whether we want to ratify this ourselves or not."
Technical group chief whip Catherine Murphy said that people were looking for hope. “And I have got to say that I feel this treaty gives them no hope," she added.
