Lisbon Reform Treaty referendum due in new year

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today that a referendum on the Lisbon Reform Treaty will probably be held early next year.

The comments come as Mr Ahern addressed a conference of European journalists in Dublin today.

He said the Government must learn from the mistakes of the botched Nice Treaty referendum.

An information campaign will be launched here after the treaty is signed next month.

The Taoiseach maintained that the expanded European Union now needs new ground rules.