REFERENDUM DIGEST

More diary dates and referendum news in brief.

More diary dates and referendum news in brief.

Events this weekend

Today

11am:Irish Anti-War Movement is holding a national "No to War, No to Lisbon" conference in the Royal Dublin Hotel, O'Connell St.

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Tomorrow

1pm:Taoiseach Brian Cowen will join the Fianna Fáil "Yes" bus at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, prior to the Leinster hurling quarter-finals.

1pm:Launch of an "Ad-mobile" on the Lisbon Treaty and Employment by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and others on Merrion Street, Dublin.

3.30pm:Labour deputy leader Joan Burton will launch a poster with the message "Europe has been good for women: vote Yes" in Townsend St, Dublin.

Abortion opponent says No

Caroline Simons, who previously came to public prominence in her role as a spokeswoman for the Pro Life Campaign, is a supporter of Libertas in the forthcoming referendum.

Ms Simons said her involvement with Libertas came about "very simply", as she volunteered her support. She had not met those behind the campaign before last month. She was supporting Libertas because she was opposed to the fundamental "lack of democracy and accountability" which the Lisbon Treaty entails.

She had offered to "help however I can" and said this "may include" financial support.

Irish situation has Czechs preparing for the worst

Mr Cowen may think that he has a lot riding on the result of his first referendum as Taoiseach but it's possible that the Czech government is even more interested in the outcome.

The Czech government will hold the EU presidency for six months starting in January. This is a period that could see the introduction of changes if the Lisbon Treaty is passed.

This week Alexandr Vondra, deputy prime minister for European affairs, said they should consider the possibility that the treaty would not be ratified due to the "tense" situation in Ireland. To be on the safe side, the Czech government is preparing two scenarios for its EU presidency - one with the Lisbon Treaty and one without it.