Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002 - The Treaty of Nice

Press Release 18 September 2002

Referendum Commission Outlines Details of Treaty of Nice Campaign

Mr. Justice Tom Finlay, Chairman today (Wednesday 18th September 2002) outlined the details of the Referendum Commission's forthcoming information campaign on the Treaty of Nice. The Commission has been involved in detailed planning of its campaign and the engagement of service providers since its establishment on July 9th.

A comprehensive information campaign encompassing television, radio, press and outdoor advertising as well as printed and web based material and special broadcasts has been planned.

The main part of the campaign centres around television and radio advertising timed to coincide with the delivery of two booklets to every home.

The first booklet explains the EU and how it works and is intended to provide the background information that is essential if the Treaty is to be understood. This will be delivered to homes over the coming week.

The second booklet contains information on the Treaty and the proposal to ban Ireland from joining an EU defence. This will be delivered to homes in the two-week period running up to the date of the Referendum. In total the Commission will be printing and distributing over 4 million information booklets.

Whereas the booklets will play an important role in providing more comprehensive information on the referendum, the Commission recognises the central role played by television advertising and broadcasts, Justice Finlay said.

We are also of the view that no matter how comprehensive the Commission's campaign, most people will inform themselves by listening to others debate the issues. We would encourage all the campaigning organisations on either side of the debate as well as all arms of the media to use the next few weeks to conduct a debate that deals with the relevant issues in a clear, comprehensive and objective manner, he said.

A particular feature of the Commission's campaign will be the use of a telephone line where members of the public can record their questions on the referendum. These questions will be compiled and the most frequently asked will be answered through the Commission's television and radio broadcasts, through press advertisements and on the Commission's website.

In the past 10 days the Commission has conducted quantitative research to assess levels of public engagement and understanding of the issues involved.

The main results indicate a high level of spontaneous awareness (70%) that there will be a referendum on the Treaty of Nice.

In total (prompted and unprompted) 90% are aware that there will be a referendum on the Treaty of Nice in the autumn of 2002.

However, only 16% of people feel they adequately understand the subject matter of the referendum. Lack of understanding was the single biggest factor at work among those who said they would not vote.

There was a marked age factor regarding intention to vote, with definite voters rising from a low of 28% among under 24's to a high of 78% among over 55's.

Over 40% of the sample was unable to articulate any issue related to the Treaty and among those who were, enlargement and neutrality were the main issues.

On prompting, 55% were aware of the constitutional amendment prohibiting Ireland from joining an EU defence with 40% of these claiming they understand what this amendment means.

Clearly, these figures underline the extent of the challenge faced by the Commission. In spite of a previous referendum on the issue and considerable media discussion, levels of understanding remain unacceptably low, Justice Finlay said.

A key concern for the Commission is to maximise the numbers of people who vote. As understanding of the issues is a very significant factor in this regard, the Commission will be working hard over the coming weeks to adequately inform all sections of the voting public, he concluded.

Other initiatives to increase turnout being taken by the Commission include a parallel campaign to encourage voter registration and in the latter part of the campaign a separate campaign encouraging people to vote. A number of elements of the campaign are focused on younger voters.

Information Note

On each occasion a referendum falls to be held it is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to decide whether to establish a Referendum Commission to carry out its functions in relation to the proposed referendum. On July 9th, 2002 the Minister issued an Establishment Order setting up the Commission in respect of the forthcoming referendum.

Mr Justice Tom Finlay, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, has accepted the nomination of the Chief Justice to act as Chairman of the Referendum Commission. Under the Referendum Act, 1998 the four ordinary members of the Commission are the Clerk of the Dáil, the Clerk of the Seanad, the Ombudsman and the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Commission's secretariat is based in the Office of the Ombudsman.

The final debates in the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 26th Amendment Bill were completed on September 13th and the Commission expects that the Government will announce the proposed date for the holding of the referendum shortly.

The functions and powers of the Referendum Commission are set out in the Referendum Act, 1998 as amended by the Referendum Act, 2001. The primary role of the Commission is to explain the subject matter of the referendum to the population at large, as simply and effectively as possible, to promote public awareness of the referendum and to encourage the electorate to vote at the poll. The Referendum Commission no longer has a statutory role in outlining the arguments for and against referendum proposals

The campaign

The main elements of the Commission's campaign will include television, radio, press, outdoor and cinema advertising. The LoCall number, 1890 600 100, enables those who may not have received copies of the Commission's publications to be sent a copy and gives some basic information on how to register to vote as well as recording questions on the referendum. There are, however some questions that the Commission can't fully answer as they involve speculation about possible political outcomes.

Website

The Commission has its own website at www.refcom.ie through which access can be gained to the Treaty of Nice and the Twenty-sixth Amendment Bill.

Persons with Disabilities

The Commission's television broadcasts will be subtitled. A special video of the Commission's Information Booklets will be produced in Irish Sign language and will be distributed to members of the deaf community. The Commission's information booklets will be produced in Braille and audiotape for persons with a sight disability and will be distributed through the National Council for the Blind.
For further information contact: Tom Morgan, Secretary, The Referendum Commission, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. Tel:- (01) 6395695 Fax:- (01) 6395684 Email: refcom@ombudsman.gov.ie