JUNE 12 IS LIKELY DATE FOR IRELAND'S LISBON TREATY

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000169

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN EI
SUBJECT: JUNE 12 IS LIKELY DATE FOR IRELAND'S LISBON TREATY

REFERENDUM

REF: A. DUBLIN 166

B. DUBLIN 44


1. (SBU) Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern has
indicated that Ireland's European Union Reform (Lisbon)
Treaty referendum (Ref B) will most likely be held on
Thursday, June 12. Speaking in the Dail (Irish Parliament)
on April 2, shortly after announcing his resignation from
office effective May 6, Ahern said that while the referendum
date had not yet been formalized, June 12 seemed to be the
most appropriate date. All political parties welcomed the
announcement, which will allow them to plan their referendum
campaigns. A formal decision on the date is expected next
week.


2. (SBU) Earlier in the day, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dermot Ahern introduced the 28th Amendment to the
Constitution Bill that paves the constitutional path for the
Treaty referendum to be held. Ahern stated that the
Taoiseach's decision to retire on May 6 would not affect the
Government's referendum campaign, which, he said, will
highlight the many positive reasons why Ireland should vote
"Yes." He stressed that a "Yes" vote would safeguard Irish
interests, such as corporate taxation, equality of member
states, and security and defense; and that a "Yes" vote would
generate political goodwill within the EU. A "No" vote, he
added, would be very negatively interpreted by important
international political and economic partners.


3. (SBU) Comment: In his sudden resignation announcement on
April 2 (Ref A),the Taoiseach said that he did not want the
furor surrounding his personal finances to cast a shadow on
the outcome of the Treaty referendum vote. The fear of
treaty supporters that voters would vote "No" in the Lisbon
Treaty referendum to express their dissatisfaction with the
Taoiseach have now been allayed and the way seems clear for
the referendum to proceed on schedule.

FOLEY