Ahern hints at pre-summer vote on Lisbon Treaty

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has indicated that the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty may be held before the summer.

Mr Ahern says a final date hasn't been set for the vote as the Government is still considering holding a children's rights referendum on the same day.

The vote on children's rights was promised after the Supreme Court ruled that Ireland's laws on underage sex were unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche has defended the lack of information available about the Lisbon Treaty.

He insisted today that the issues would be fully explained to voters.