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The Senate has the power to petition the President to call a referendum. It can do this even in the current circumstances where the Government has an overwhelming majority. Article 27 of the Constitution allows the President once requested by a majority of the Senate  and one third of the Dail to refuse to sign a bill already passed by the Dail to put the contents before the people in a referendum.

"The current Government wishes to avoid a vote of the people on the proposed changes to the way Europe runs it's affairs. This is the biggest and most fundamental change to our system of Government since the adoption of the 1937 Constitution. The safeguard within the Constitution allows the Senate to petition the president to seek the people's views in a referendum, even if the Government does not want to hold a referendum".

"Regardless of a Senator's own views for or against the new treaty it is important for the Senate to ensure that the people have their say".