Opinions are split on the referendums' timing, writes Deaglán de Bréadún, Political Correspondent
The referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, formerly known as the reform treaty, should not be held on the same day as the proposed referendum on children's rights, Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche has said.
Outlining what he stressed was "a personal view", Mr Roche was echoing the sentiments of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, whereas Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has expressed a preference for having both referendums on the same day. But it is understood there are differing views in the Fine Gael camp also.
Although the Taoiseach and the Opposition leader met to discuss the issue shortly before Christmas, the Government has not yet made a decision on the date of either referendum.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Mr Roche said the Lisbon Treaty was "something that should stand alone. It is better not to confuse too many issues. It is better to have a focused debate on the issues that are under consideration and not to have one issue crossing over into the other".
He added, however: "It's a personal view. It's not a view that Government necessarily shares." Asked when the referendum should take place, he said: "My view has always been the first half of 2008."
Although he accepted that having the referendums on separate days would cost more, Mr Roche said: "Both of these issues are very, very important and the reality of it is that you can justify the cost by reference to their importance.
"Internally, there can be very little that can be more important than the rights of children and how we are going to deal with that. Externally, there is very little more important than Europe and how we're going to deal with it in the years ahead."
The Minister of State stressed the need for supporters of the treaty to adopt the correct tone in their campaign: "There has to be no haranguing the voters, no trying to browbeat people. If there are people who have a different view we have to listen to them and we certainly have to answer their opinions or views or allegations, but we have to do it purely on the basis of facts."
He had prepared a briefing document last month which he sent to all TDs and Senators in Leinster House. He stressed the need to use "lay person's language" to get the message across.
"That's critical: we have to get rid of the jargon, we have to get rid of this mystification , we have to get rid of the acronyms," he said. "We have to explain what we mean."
Warning that "a polemical debate" would alienate voters, he added: "Politicians on the Yes side will have a real responsibility to take the essence of this treaty and to explain just how good it is - to explain where there are shortcomings too - but to do this in a way that is not hectoring, that is respectful, that listens to people's concerns."
Already a "purely factual" leaflet was being distributed to public libraries and local authority offices. "There is a website up and running already and it's getting hits."
(This reporter could not access www.reformtreaty.ie yesterday).
He was also working on what he described as "the plain language guide to the treaty". This document, some 50 pages in length, would be published in late January or early February under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. "It will be factual, it can't be a partisan document," he said.
"Separately of course you will have a White Paper which will be published probably towards the end of February."
He intends to publish the White Paper on the internet in the first instance with a phone number for people who require a hard copy.
There may also be a text-messaging service for queries about the treaty.
Mr Roche accepted the possibility that some voters might use the EU referendum to "punish" the Government, adding that this underlined the need for a focused campaign.
"Every referendum you have, there is always going to be a plebiscite element in it. It's in the nature of politics that that's going to happen," he said.
In a New Year statement on the treaty, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said: "During 2008, Irish people will have an opportunity to provide the EU with a vital electoral endorsement. This will serve to renew the EU and make it more responsive to current needs and responsibilities. When the referendum takes place, I am confident that we will vote Yes to Europe and Yes to Ireland's future within a reformed European Union."