Ahern to begin Nice campaign as summit ends

As this weekend’s EU summit in Seville concludes the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is now faced with the task of ensuring that the Irish electorate ratifies the Nice Treaty in the second referendum which is expected to be held in the autumn.

Mr Ahern is preparing to step the campaign for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum and received a major boost yesterday after he secured a declaration from EU leaders that appears to ensure Irish neutrality in the event that the treaty is accepted.