FIANNA Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has questioned Taoiseach Simon Harris in the Dáil about the need to put the EU Migrant Pact to the people of Ireland in a referendum.
Deputy O’Dea also asked that, if Ireland were to sign up to the WHO Pandemic treaty, that this also should be put to a public vote, as these changes, he says, would be of such fundamental importance that the opinion of the people should be canvassed.
“The Taoiseach is aware that the government will be seeking the advice of the Attorney General on whether constitutional referendums will be necessary if Ireland is to sign up to the WHO pandemic treaty and to the EU migration pact. Has the Attorney General offered any views on these matters yet?,” the Limerick TD asked in the Dáil.
“Second, does the Taoiseach agree with me that, whether or not constitutional referendums are required, these changes are of such fundamental importance that the opinion of the people should nevertheless be canvassed?
“There is provision, specifically in Article 47 of the Constitution, for referendums to take place on matters that do not involve an amendment to the Constitution.”
In response, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he would have to seek an update from the Minister for Health on the WHO pandemic treaty.
“I am not personally aware of any advice in that regard. On the EU Migration Pact, I am confident of the ability of the government and the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt in and there will be no legal requirement for a referendum,” he told Deputy O’Dea.
“We are certainly not proposing one, but we are proposing plenty of time in this House for people to debate and tease through the provisions. We obviously also provided extra time to the justice committee, at its request, to consider it.”
