Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1971

Polling for the referendum took place on Thursday 10th May 1972, between the hours of 9:00am and 9:00pm. The subject matter of the referendum was described as follows in the official polling card sent to each elector:

The Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1971, proposes to add the subsection here following to Article 29.4 of the Constitution.

3 ° The State may become a member of the European Coal and Steel Community (established by Treaty signed at Paris on the 18th day of April, 1951), the European Economic Community (established by Treaty signed at Rome on the 25th day of March, 1957) and the European Atomic Energy Community (established by Treaty signed at Rome on 25th day of March, 1957). No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the State necessitated by the obligations of membership of the Communities or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the Communities, or institutions thereof, from having the force of law in the State. The purpose of the proposal is to allow the State to become a member of the Communities commonly known as European Communities.

(This statement was prescribed by the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1972)

The total number of votes recorded in favour of the proposal was 1,041,890 and the total number of votes recorded against the proposal was 211,891. As the proposal was duly approved by the people, the Bill was signed by the President on 8th June 1972 and promulgated as a law.