Lisbon 2 Bill Published today and Referendum Commission Set Up – October 2 now likely date

Stephen Spillane has scooped everyone with the news that the bill laying out the Lisbon 2 referendum will be published today and the Referendum Commission will follow on the heels once the bill passes the Oireachtas. From his post:

Commission will aim to inform voters of the issue as well as encourage people to vote. The Commission will be made up of the following:

* A former judge of the Supreme Court or High Court or a Judge of the High Court
* The Ombudsman
* The Comptroller and Auditor General
* The Clerk of the Dáil
* The Clerk of the Seanad

The time line will look like this:

* Monday July 6th: Bill Published and Referendum Commission set up
* Wednesday July 8th: Bill debated in Dáil
* Thursday July 9th: Bill debated in Seanad

The referendum must take place with 90 days of the bill passing both houses of the Oireachtas so October 2nd is looking like the date.