THE FISCAL TREATY referendum will go ahead on 31 May despite a possible delay in its ratification in Germany, the Taoiseach said yesterday.

Launching an IT initiative to help start-up companies, Enda Kenny told reporters that the date would not be changed.

“Each country has until the end of the year to ratify the treaty but as we are in a programme, it is very necessary that we waste no time in sending out a very clear signal of certainty,” he said.

The call for a delay came from independent TD Shane Ross who wished to refix the date after an informal EU summit later this month.

At a separate press conference yesterday, Pearse Doherty said a Yes vote could pave the way for the European Commission to dictate Irish budgetary measures.

According to RTÉ, Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has asked the Referendum Commission for confirmation on this point. He wants the Commissioner to determine if the European Court of Justice can impose fines on a country who is in breach of the terms of the treaty.

Read: Vincent Browne offers to step aside to allow Kenny/Adams debate

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