Coveney hopeful of Congress backing for 'yes' vote

Fine Gael Director of Elections Simon Coveney has said he is hopeful that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) will back a 'yes' vote in next month's fiscal compact referendum.

The MANDATE union, which represents 45,000 retail and bar workers, has urged its members to vote 'no' in the May 31 referendum on the treaty.