Taoiseach facing a bruising battle

EVEN before the summer holidays, senior government officials were bracing themselves for storm clouds in the autumn.

The country's 166 TDs are back in Leinster House today to clear legislation for a second referendum on the EU Nice Treaty. But this is certain to enmesh with a plethora of other issues as all opposition parties seek to push their contention that the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrat Coalition hoodwinked their way to re-election on May 17 last.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, while supporting a Yes to Nice vote, has articulated a growing view that the country's voters will use the Nice II referendum to send a message to Mr Ahern that they do not like to be hoodwinked.