Nice Treaty - Ahern must make debate more relevant

AS politicians break their long holidays to rekindle debate on the Nice referendum, they can be sure other European countries will take unprecedented interest in the Government’s second bid to sell the treaty to the people of Ireland.

Hinging on the outcome is the enlargement of the EU as former communist bloc States queue up to join the elite club.

By any assessment, the resounding defeat of the first referendum 15 months ago was a humiliating experience for the Government. Ultimately, they have only themselves to blame for botching the first campaign.