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Irish Government forced to hold Treaty referendum 28.2.2012 | Irish Republican News The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has just confirmed in the Dáil that the people of the 26 Counties will be asked in a referendum to ratify the Brussels Treaty. The Attorney General has given her formal advice that, under the Irish constitution, a referendum is required on the so-called 'fiscal compact'. She pointed out that the latest Treaty is outside that of the formal architecture of the European Union. Her decision represents a major blow to the Dublin government and EU officials, who had worked assiduously in negotiations to ensure the Treaty was worded to avoid such a referendum in Ireland. The newly-elected President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, indicated last week that he would convene a Council of State to study the constitutional ramifications of any decision not to hold the referendum. Sinn Féin and a number of independent TDs had also indicated their intention of pursuing a Supreme Court challenge if a referendum was not held. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams welcomed the announcement and demanded an open and informed debate. “Sinn Féin is against this Treaty from what we know of it ... We’re against austerity. We don’t think it’s fair. We don’t think it’s right. We don’t think it’s proper that working people have to pay the penalty for bad government and that this has to happen to pay off the golden circle, the big bankers and the bondholders and developers.