Kenny: EU vote will not affect other planned referendums

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed that the referendum on the European Fiscal Compact will be held on its own.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil this morning that the vote will not have a knock-on effect on the holding of polls on children's rights or the abolition of the Seanad.

He said the Cabinet has yet to look at when the referendum will be held or how long it will take to draft the legislation.

"This is a very serious question for the Irish people about Ireland's future, about our people's future and about keeping this country right at the heart of the European process," he said.

"That's where our future is and that's where we need to be."

Meanwhile European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso today said it was very much in Ireland's interests to pass the referendum.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels today Mr Barroso said passing the referendum will mark the relaunch of Ireland's economy

However, he said he would make no comment on whethar or not ratification of the treaty would make it easier for Ireland to get a discount on its banking debt.

Advocates of a 'no' vote in the referendum are already launching their campaigns.

The United Left Alliance is urging the electorate to reject the treaty, which the group says will institutionalise austerity.

The People's Movement - which is also against the treaty - wants a referendum to be held on the European Stability Mechanism Treaty, due to be ratifed in the coming weeks.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle dismissed claims a 'no' vote will be bad for Ireland.

"I believe it will be bad for the country if we vote 'yes'," he said.

"I believe that if we vote 'no', it will send a clear message to Europe that we are interested in democracy and that we are interested in a Europe that recognises the democratic right of individual countries."