§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rules will apply to the Ambassador and staff of the British Embassy in Dublin during the forthcoming Irish referendum on the Nice Treaty; what guidelines will be issued on intervention in Irish public and political affairs(a) in the run up to and (b) during the referendum; and if he will make a statement. [72990]
§ Peter HainIn accordance with normal practice, and Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, the Ambassador and staff of the British Embassy in Dublin will make no intervention in Irish public and political affairs in connection with the forthcoming referendum on the Nice Treaty.