Cabinet Ministers have been ordered by the Taoiseach to "clear their diaries" to allow for an all- out effort to try to ensure victory in the Nice Treaty.
The Taoiseach's rallying-cry came as research commissioned by Fianna Fail shows that a strong campaign is needed to win a majority in the upcoming Nice referendum.
The Irish Times has learned that the survey shows that while the Yes vote is still ahead of the No vote, there is considerable concern about the growing number of "don't nos".
Mr Ahern yesterday devoted most of the first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess to impress upon his Ministers the need to go out and sell the message of Nice.
He opened the three-hour session by telling Ministers that the Government had not cut public spending and in fact had increased spending by 14 per cent. this year - there is growing concern that voters may reject Nice in protest at the cuts.
Mr Ahern outlined the Government strategy for the Nice Referendum, which will be officially begin on Monday with the launch of an information campaign.
The Dáil debate on the second stage of the legislation to allow for the referendum will open on Wednesday and every Minister has been warned to be actively involved in the debate.
Mr Ahern told colleagues Nice issue was lost in part because senior Government figures had failed to contribute to the Yes campaign and he warned of the consequences of another defeat.
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Dick Roche, gave Ministers a presentation on the Treaty.