Lisbon Vote No2. When?

[jc_ie]

This is inspired by the move to have the by elections on June 5th.

Have the government actually said they will hold the lisbon referendum on that day as well?
I feel like i must have missed something because the conversation publically over a date seems to have gone mute and i had assumed that june was when they were going to do it.

I've skimmed the titles of this forum and i dont see anything about a formal date.

It would make sense if they plan to do it sometime this year. The news isn't exactly likely to get better over the year and it would make sense from a costs point of view.
Dont they need to pass a writ or some such to have a referendum? If so when is the last day they can pass it to have in in effect for june 5th?

I mean we are closing on 6 weeks left till the Local/European elections so surely if Lisbon was going to be on the table the starters pistol should be fired by now?

If they dont plan on having it in june then the next earliest window wouldnt be until September/ October because of the summer recess in the Dail(Assuming they dont recall it that is).

Thoughts?

[Bobert]

October some time.

This can be locked now.

[jc_ie]

Thanks for that.

One further question.

Who said october? Have a source handy?

Cheers.

[marmurr1916]

Source? The dogs in the street.

http://www.europeanvoice.com/article...dum/63417.aspx

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008...-lisbon-treaty

[Timeisshort]

John Bruton was on BBC's Hard talk last night, mentioned October.

[ibis]

Thanks for that.

One further question.

Who said october? Have a source handy?

Cheers.

Well, there's Roche:

The Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche today gave a strong indication the second Lisbon referendum will be held in October and appeared to rule out a June date for the poll.

When asked on Newstalk radio at lunchtime if he could see the Treaty being put to the people again in October, Mr Roche said: “I’m not a betting man, but I think I’d still be betting on that date.

However, they're being coy:

Irish minister for foreign affairs, Micheal Martin, refused on Thursday (19 March) to rule out the possibility of an early referendum on the Lisbon treaty, saying only that the government will stick to the timeline agreed at a summit of EU leaders last December.

"The government has not formally made a decision on the date of the referendum," he said.

Under the December deal, Irish prime minister Brian Cowan agreed to hold a second referendum on the treaty before the term of the current European commission expires in October in exchange for legal guarantees in the sensitive areas of taxation, neutrality and social affairs.

It is generally thought the Irish government will hold the referendum in September or October, but Dublin is keeping quiet on details of the date.

The Czech EU presidency is currently drafting the guarantees, which need to be agreed by a summer summit of EU leaders on 18-19 June at the latest.

Personally, I think the coyness over the date is utterly pointless - even damaging. The No campaigns continue to run anyway, while possible grassroots Yes proponents are left in the dark and have no time to organise.

[lostexpectation]

EU diplomats express concern at Klaus's Lisbon role - The Irish Times - Tue, Apr 28, 2009
this article today

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said yesterday it was “imperative” a deal is struck between EU leaders at the June European Council to maintain the tight timetable the Government has set for organising a second referendum on the treaty.
“Postponing it until July causes significant difficulties with that timeline. Ideally, one would have domestic legislation in the aftermath of the June council to pave the way for a referendum and to have a parliamentary debate before the summer recess,” said Mr Martin, who said the referendum commission also needed time to do its work.

glad to see martin is talking about some proper discussion on the guarantees before the referendum campaign

[lostexpectation]

couple of questions about it in the dail last week
23 Apr 2009: Written answers (KildareStreet.com)

http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2009-04-23.715.0
october

[IrishTom]

October some time.

This can be locked now.

which real means a surprise vote in september or so, with the lackeys in Leinster house going full spin on the doctoring.

[marmurr1916]

which real means a surprise vote in september or so, with the lackeys in Leinster house going full spin on the doctoring.

Kinda like Oktoberfest, but without the beer and the blondes.