Ahern confident of securing 'yes' to Nice

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said he is confident that he can secure a ‘yes’ vote when he re-runs the Nice Treaty referendum later this year.

Mr Ahern was speaking after meetings with the leaders of Finland and Sweden today. He said a number of issues have yet to be addressed, adding that his main aim is to get an EU declaration that Nice will not erode Ireland’s military neutrality.