The Referendum Commission, which is distributing 1.3 million information booklets this week on the abortion referendum, has said misinformation surrounds the debate "on both sides".
Launching its public information campaign, the Commission insisted it has enough time to ensure the public will be properly informed - if they study the material provided.
"There is a significant amount of misinformation floating around. I would have thought on both sides," said the Commission's chairman, Mr Frederick Morris, former president of the High Court.
The confusion amongst the public about the 25th Amendment to the Constitution and its accompanying legislation, the Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy Bill, 2001, is "a matter of major concern", he said.
The confusion would be solved to a great extent when the public, "has clear access to the booklet. Driving around the city, the various posters do nothing to clarify the position", he said.
Senior Government figures last week disagreed with the Commission's interpretation that the constitutional position of the morning-after pill would not change, regardless of the result on March 6th.
The other members of the Commission are Mr Kevin Murphy; Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell, Clerk of the Dáil, Mr Kieran Coughlan and the Clerk of the Seanad, Ms Deirdre Lane.
Yesterday Mr Morris said it was not its role to enter "into the public arena". "And I will not be coaxed into it." Standing over the quality of legal advice offered by the Commission's senior counsels, Mr Frank Clarke and Dr Anne Cruess Callaghan, he said: "If it conflicts with other advices, so be it."
Mr Purcell said: "Most people believed that we would be in a position to put legal certainty on issues. The Commission could not do that. It is ultimately a matter for the courts." Television advertisements explaining the issue will be carried on RTÉ 1; Network 2, TV3, TG4, SKY News and SKY One, and on national and local radio stations. Three hundred large billboards will also be erected, along with 420 advertisement on bus and train shelters. Newspaper advertisements will also be used in the €3 million campaign.
The Commission, set up by the Cabinet on February 8th, at first thought it would not be able to send booklets to every home.
The Ombudsman, Mr Kevin Murphy, said An Post had said it could not deliver in time, while the Government Supplies Agency said large printing contacts would have to go to EU-wide tender. A senior civil servant, Mr Peter Ryan, contacted the Commission about the problems. Following this, An Post and the Government agency came back to say the problems could be overcome.
