The ratification of the Nice Treaty was the "number one issue" for the Government between now and the end of the year, the Taoiseach said during a visit to Italy and Austria yesterday.
Mr Ahern said that securing a Yes vote in a second referendum was a matter of "huge importance to the country" and to the applicant countries seeking to join the European Union.
He was speaking in Vienna on the second leg of a visit to Italy and Austria to meet their respective prime ministers. He held a one-hour meeting with Mr Berlusconi in Rome before departing in the Government jet for the Austrian capital to meet Chancellor Schussel.
The main item for discussion with both leaders was the declarations on Irish neutrality, due to be issued at the European summit in Seville tomorrow.
Ireland will issue a "national declaration" stating that there is nothing in the Nice Treaty or any other EU treaty which jeopardises or impedes the State's traditional policy of military neutrality. The EU heads of government will respond, indicating their satisfaction with the Irish stance and with Ireland's interpretation of the EU treaties.
The Taoiseach revealed that he was planning to recall the Dáil at the start of September, over a month earlier than normal, to facilitate early passage of the Bill to hold a second Nice referendum. The incoming Seanad will also be convened earlier than usual to debate the legislation.
Mr Ahern said he envisaged that the Bill would go through the Oireachtas in the first two weeks of September. It would then have to be signed into law by the President before the Minister for the Environment issued an order for the holding of the referendum, which must take place a minimum of 30 days after the order is signed.
Pressed about the possible date for the Nice poll, Mr Ahern said he would not be particularly influenced by the fact that a European summit was planned for Brussels on October 24th/25th.
He was not enthusiastic about suggestions that the poll should take place in November to give more time for debate. A winter campaign holds few attractions for Mr Ahern. He pointed out that he had always said that the referendum should be in October and, although he did not give a specific date, he seemed to be indicating the third week of that month.
Asked if he had made it clear to his ministers that he expected them to campaign actively for a Yes vote, Mr Ahern replied: "Totally." He had already told them of his strong wishes in this regard.
He acknowledged that the Seville declarations would not be legally binding but added that there were no legal implications for neutrality in the EU treaties in any case.
If the Nice Treaty was passed, the declarations and the instrument of ratification would be lodged with the United Nations.
It is understood that the same documents will be lodged with the Italian government, which is the custodian of the EU treaties. Although he appeared tired, Mr Ahern was clearly seized with a sense of urgency about Nice, hence his visits to Italy and Austria. Last week, he visited Sweden and Finland on a similar mission. He has discussed the declarations also in recent weeks with the Spanish Prime Minister and holder of the EU presidency, Mr Aznar, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair.
The declarations are part of a three-pronged Government strat- egy to wear down resistance to Nice. From July 1st, new arrangements will come into force providing for greater scrutiny of EU legislation by the Dáil and Seanad. Second, ministers will present reports on forthcoming EU issues to the relevant committees in Leinster House, which will be expected to be more active on EU matters. Third is the Forum on Europe: Mr Ahern expressed great satisfaction with its work and its role in giving EU matters a public airing.
He also noted that none of the forum participants had expressed opposition to EU enlargement.