The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that a new Government website on the proposed European constitution does not breach strict regulations requiring Government departments to remain neutral during referendums.
A spokeswoman for the department said the site, www.europeanconstitution.ie, was a website devoted to providing information on the constitution, and was factual and was not advocating a position in relation to it.
As such, she said, it did not breach regulations requiring State agencies to remain impartial during a referendum.
The site was launched yesterday by the Junior Minister with responsibility for European Affairs, Noel Treacy.
He said the service was part of the Government's commitment to providing detailed and accessible information in the run-up to the referendum, which will take place this year.
"I am convinced that, as people learn more about the European constitution, they will recognise that it is good for Europe and good for Ireland."
He said the Referendum Commission, which will provide information on both sides of the debate, would also be fully resourced by the Government.
"A key information role will be played by the Referendum Commissionas was the case prior to the Nice II referendum.
"The National Forum on Europe is already extremely active, and has planned meetings to discuss the European constitution throughout the country over the next few months."
The new website contains an introduction to the constitution, explains its main features and includes a glossary of terms commonly used in it.
Academic Anthony Coughlan, who has campaigned against European treaties in the past and who will be campaigning against the new constitution, said he had not seen the website, but as long as it contained accurate information it would not be in breach.
However, he said it could still be biased by quoting selectively from the proposed constitution.
"You can have a selection; that has been done, in my opinion, by the short summary of the constitution by the Department of Foreign Affairs which was published recently. . . It doesn't say anything that's false, but it can be highly misleading."
He also called for the Referendum Commission to be established as soon as possible to provide information on the constitution in an impartial manner.