The Treaty of Nice is likely to go to referendum at the end of May or in early June, according to informed political sources. It is generally expected in highlevel political circles that the Attorney General's office will advise that the treaty provisions require approval by the people.
"We are still awaiting advice from the Attorney General," senior sources said last night and no definitive decision would be taken until then. If a referendum was deemed necessary, it would take place "sooner rather than later".
Ms Patricia McKenna MEP, Green, said a referendum commission would have to be given sufficient time and resources to get both sides of the argument across in an effective manner. "It's a very complex treaty and there should be adequate time for the issues to be discussed."
The anxiety expressed by Ms McKenna, a Euro-sceptic, for an early announcement was echoed among supporters of the European project who were saying privately that recent statements by some Government ministers had "muddied the waters to say the least" and there should be a major effort from all pro-EU elements to persuade voters of the treaty's merits.
Mr Proinsias De Rossa MEP, Labour, has called on the Government to "spell out its intentions" with regard to the treaty. Authorising the Minister for Foreign Affairs to sign it this week showed that already the Government had "come to a political conclusion" on it.
"The Government must therefore immediately clarify its intentions about a referendum and publish the wording required to amend the Constitution. Secondly, the Government must produce clear and concise information for the Irish people explaining what the Taoiseach agreed at Nice and what the implications are of the changes to the voting strengths of each member-state and to our place within the Commission."
The implications of the treaty with regard to the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Rapid Reaction Force and taxation also had to be addressed.
"This Government refused to engage in meaningful debate on European Union reform with the Irish people both before and during last year's Intergovernmental Conference and the Nice Summit. It provided little information on what the Government wanted to see coming out of Nice and, when it did, it did so only to select audiences.
"As a result, the public have little or no idea about what exactly is going on. What is clear is that Government ministers such as Charlie McCreevy and Mary Harney are now intent on opting for the US economic model rather than the European social market model. This has huge implications for our society in terms of social justice, equality and fairness." Mr De Rossa called for the establishment of a public forum to facilitate a debate, similar to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation set up as part of the peace process.