Ahern begins 30-day campaign for Yes vote

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern today begins a 30-day campaign to change Irish voters' minds on the Treaty of Nice.

Mr Ahern last night urged the nation's three million voters to come out and vote as he named Saturday October 19 the date for the second referendum on Nice. He also asked people to consider the issue on its own merits and ignore opponents' calls to use it as an opportunity to vent anger at the newly-installed government.

"It is not a political issue - it is a national issue," the Taoiseach said as he announced the referendum date after a special cabinet meeting in Glenveagh, Co Donegal.

He also urged Irish people to vote Yes and facilitate EU enlargement to the former East Bloc.

Tanaiste Mary Harney said Saturday had been chosen for the first time in a national vote in efforts to give everyone the best opportunity to come out and vote. She also warned voters not to be swayed by claims that the introduction of the euro last January had led to a price spiral.

The Enterprise Minister said she will be meeting soon with the Consumer Association of Ireland and had already urged the Competition Authority to take action.

"I believe there is a need for greater competition in the market to help control prices," she said.

Fine Gael Nice campaign director, former Taoiseach John Bruton, welcomed the announcement of a date, but outgoing Labour leader Ruairi Quinn, whose party is also strongly backing a Yes vote, said he was concerned at the short campaign, given the level of public confusion.

The announcement coincided with the launch of the Alliance Against Nice by politicians urging a No vote. Members include Sinn Fein, the Green Party, the Socialist Party and independent TDs, Tony Gregory and Finnian McGrath.

Sinn Fein Dail leader Caoimhghin O Caolain said the vote was a battle for democracy. He condemned the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for joining the employer organisation, IBEC, and major political parties in urging a Yes vote: "We are confident the decision of the people last year will be re-confirmed at the polls on October 19."