Support for the Government from the Donegal Independent TD, Mr Harry Blaney, is intact following discussions with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. However, he said he remained cautious about the agreement and would have to consult colleagues in his Donegal organisation about whether to campaign for the agreement in the referendum.
During a meeting with Mr Blaney yesterday, the Taoiseach repeated that changes to Articles 2 and 3 would not come into effect unless the proposed institutions in the Northern Ireland Agreement come into being.
Mr Blaney later said these assurances had allayed his fears over the constitutional amendments and allowed him to vote for the Bill paving the way for the referendum on May 22nd.
On the formation of Government last year, Mr Blaney entered an agreement with the Taoiseach stating that there would be no changes in Articles 2 and 3 until there was "an overall settlement of the national question".
Last month he indicated that his support for the Government could be at risk if this aspect of the agreement was not upheld.
However, following discussions with the Taoiseach, he told The Irish Times yesterday that his support for the Government would continue on the basis of assurances he had just received.
He will now confer with party colleagues to see what policy they should adopt in relation to the referendum on May 22nd.
"We will then decide whether we will campaign for or against the agreement. I am very cautious about the whole deal," he said.
The constitutional aspects of the agreement caused most concern, particularly Clause No 1 in Annex A which states that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom and "shall not cease to be so without the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland voting in a poll held for this purpose".
According to Mr Blaney, this "copperfastens the unionist veto on Irish unity, especially when it is written into new British legislation at Westminster".
Criticising the Government's decision to hold the referendum on the same day as the Amsterdam Treaty vote, he urged a reversal of this strategy "even at this late stage".
It was also preferable to put the question of amending Articles 2 and 3 in a separate referendum, and not as part of a package of proposals.