The details of the Lisbon Treaty should be presented to the public in a jargon-free and unbiased way ahead of the forthcoming referendum, an Oireachtas committee has recommended.
The Joint Committee on European Affairs today published its Interim Report on the Lisbon Reform Treaty.
The report was compiled following discussion with the Social Partners and Minister of State with Special Responsibility for European Affairs, Dick Roche. It finds that while there was broad agreement on the importance of the treaty, there remain a number of areas of contention between various social partners.
It said Ibec, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society will recommend a "Yes" vote to their members.
However, Ictu, Chambers Ireland, ISME, and the ICMSA said they would not commit themselves until their membership was consulted.
In addition to the calls for clarity in the referendum debate, the main concerns raised were Ireland's veto on taxation policy; the slimming down of the European Commission; voting arrangements in the Council of Ministers; and new powers for national parliaments and the European Parliament.
Concerns surrounding clarity on Ireland's opt-outs/opt-ins and the participation of non-Irish campaigners in the national debate were also discussed.
The committee also urged the Government to appoint a Referendum Commision as soon as possible. The Dáil heard yesterday that the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, is currently preparing for the formation of this commission.
The Committee said it plans to hold more meetings with the Social Partners and Mr Roche, in the run-up to the vote, which is now expected to be held in early June. It will also hold public meetings around the country prior to drafting a final report, which will be presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas and the Government before the referendum.