THE DÁIL HAS formally approved the legislation triggering a referendum on the European Fiscal Compact Treaty.
The legislation was cleared in the Dáil by 93 votes to 21, with Fianna Fáil joining the government parties in approving the treaty.
Sinn Féin voted against holding the referendum, as did the United Left Alliance members, while the other independents were split on the vote.
The legislation now goes to the Seanad for consideration next week before being then sent for the formal referral to the public.
The Dáil also approved a schedule to the referendum motion which will be included with the ballot papers being presented to voters. The text of the schedule is below.
There was some procedural confusion at the conclusion of the Dáil debate, when discussion was continuing on a proposed amendment to the referendum put forward by independent TD Catherine Murphy.
Discussion on Murphy’s amendment had continued until the designated cut-off time of 1:30pm – but that deadline, which was agreed by TDs this morning, did not allow for separate votes on the amendment and on the final approval of the Bill.
TDs voting Yes to the overall Bill were therefore also voting on rejecting Murphy’s amendment – much to Murphy’s own disappointment, with the TD arguing that there was no point allowing amendments to be tabled if there was no time to hold votes on them.
“There should have been time to allow me to press that amendment,” Murphy said. “If I’m not allowed to, there’s something very flawed in the way the order has been set up today. It should have been provided for.
“If I put an amendment down, I’m entitled to have that amendment taken. You can’t presume that this House will vote against that amendment, or vote for it for that matter,” she said.
When informed by acting Chairman, Peter Mathews, that there was no time to hold a vote on her proposal, Murphy added:
“I just think this is totally outrageous. I’ve never, ever come across that before, where there was only one amendment, and no time to actually take it.”
Schedule
Referendum relating to the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union
You are being asked if Ireland may ratify the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union.
The Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 proposes to insert the following subsection after subsection 9° of Article 29.4 of the Constitution:
10° The State may ratify the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union done at Brussels on the 2nd day of March 2012.No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State that are necessitated by the obligations of the State under that Treaty or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by bodies competent under that Treaty from having the force of law in the State.’.
IF YOU APPROVE of the proposal, mark X opposite the word YES on the ballot paper.
IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE of the proposal, mark X opposite the word NO on the ballot paper.
A copy of the Bill can be inspected or obtained free of charge at any Post Office. It may also be viewed on the internet at www.oireachtas.ie.
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