Green Party members are to debate whether to back the new EU referendum when they gather for a special post-general election conference in Dublin on October 6th.
The issue of the EU treaty is one of several items to be discussed at the one-day conference during which the party's three Ministers will outline what they have done so far in Government, and their plans ahead. The conference will be held in private session and will not be open to the media.
A party spokesman said yesterday no decision will be taken on October 6th on the referendum, but a special party meeting to decide its position will take place in November. A two-thirds majority vote is needed to change the current stance, which is against a treaty.
The party has opposed every EU treaty since 1972 including two Nice referendums. However, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan ignited debate on the treaty in the party when he indicated last week he would support a new referendum. He compared the expansion of the Greens' movement with that of the EU.
A senior party source said last night that strong debate is expected on the issue, but it is hoped that party members will vote to support the referendum. Former MEP Patricia McKenna has said she will oppose the vote.
The special meeting - agreed by the party's national executive council on Saturday - will include a workshop on "activism" and how to remain an activist while in Government. There will also be a workshop for new members interested in standing for election.
There is also set to be a keen contest for the position of Green Party chair. The position was left vacant when John Gormley was elected leader to replace Trevor Sargent after the general election. Dublin Mid-West TD Paul Gogarty yesterday became the second party member to announce his interest in the job. Last week, Senator Dan Boyle announced he would be contesting the election for chair. Other party members are expected to put their names forward before the close of nominations on October 5th.
Mr Gogarty said yesterday the party's involvement in Government needs to be "counterbalanced" by someone who would "protect the Green Party's identity and ethos and reflect the concerns of its membership and the wider communities they serve".
He said the party was now at a crossroads in its evolution and needed "a strong and impartial chair to assist in its development at grassroots level".
Mr Boyle said last week the position of chair is important under the collective approach that the party adopts towards leadership. The party will hold its annual "think-in" in Brooklodge in Wicklow later this week.