Cabinet may set date for Lisbon referendum today

The Cabinet may set a date for the re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum when it holds its regular weekly meeting in Dublin this morning.

The Government has already indicated that the vote will be held in late September or early October following the EU's agreement last week to provide guarantees to Ireland on certain issues.

The guarantees are designed to assure Irish voters that the Lisbon Treaty will not affect Ireland's prohibition on abortion, its current policy of neutrality or its ability to set its own tax rates.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet will also discuss the planned new Crime Bill, as well as the new prison complex proposed for the Thornton Hall area of Dublin.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said yesterday that he hopes the Crime Bill - which will allow gangland figures to be tried before the non-jury Special Criminal Court - can be passed before the Dáil's summer break.

He also said Government intended to proceed with the Thornton Hall prison plans, despite the collapse of talks with the private firm chosen to construct the facility.