Strasbourg, 04/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, met a number of journalists for an informal debate in which he made great play on the future Irish referendum. He indicated that the vote on the Van Lancker report on sexual equality and reproductive rights would only have a "marginal influence" on Irish public opinion but could make people think of a conspiracy if examination of the report was rejected. Mr Cox thought it more important to have a "different campaign" to the last one, with the only key question being, "Do we really have the right to say no?" Mr Cox also indicated his preference for holding the referendum during the first few weeks of October, before the European Summit. He said that he was optimistic about the result of the referendum but recognised the difficulty the Danish Presidency would face, as well as the impact on enlargement, if the Treaty were rejected. Asked about the intensity of the work to be carried to in the reduced time of the Friday sessions in Strasbourg, the President of the European Parliament replied that it was mainly a polemical issue. He pointed out that as long as the sessions existed, the majority of those complaining about them would not be taking part.