Ratifying the EU constitution is a priority for the Government, but it will not set a referendum date until after a proper public awareness campaign, according to the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Noel Treacy.
Mr Treacy joined government ministers from Slovakia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic at an Institute of European Affairs seminar on the constitution in Dublin yesterday.
He said: "No issue on the agenda is of greater importance than the ratification of the European constitution. The constitution can only enter into force if all member-states ratify it.
"If one of us is unable to do so, if one link in the chain breaks, then the overall project is cast into crisis."
He said the Government had been concerned about a Eurobarometer poll which revealed a lack of awareness of the constitution across the EU, including Ireland. "We know from the two Nice referendums here that the most important factor in stimulating public awareness and interest is active political debate," he said.
The Government would decide on the date of the referendum only after there had been enough time for a debate and public campaign.
A new referendum commission would explain the issues in a public awareness campaign and encourage voter turnout.
Mr Treacy said the Government was determined to take a leadership role and urged other political parties and groups to support its campaign.
The Green Party's opposition to several EU treaties made little sense as the European Greens strongly supported the constitution, he noted. The Minister said the constitution would simplify existing complex treaties and make the EU much more effective and the Commission leaner and more cohesive.
He rejected claims that the constitution would override the Irish Constitution or create a federal superstate. "It's not much of a federal state, with no army, no police force, no government, and can't impose taxes," he said.
He reiterated that the treaty would not affect Ireland's military neutrality or the "triple lock" on deploying Irish troops overseas. - (PA)