Although Mr Ahern accepted that some of the confusion which reigned during the last campaign on Nice, and which resulted in the rejection of the agreement, was the responsibility of the government, he explained that the concerns expressed during the last referendum have now been addressed.

'Simply put we are asking the Irish people to vote on this critical decision again because it is the right thing to do, for others, as well as ourselves.'

He went on to observe that European Union membership has been a 'powerful engine of economic and social progress in Ireland,' and suggested that: 'An Ireland outside the new Europe would still be the same old Ireland of unemployment and emigration.'

Mr Ahern warned that a No vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Nice Treaty would make it difficult for the government to deliver economic and social progress to the people of Ireland.

However, according to reports, pro-Nice Labour Deputy, Michael D. Higgins launched a stinging attack on the Prime Minister's speech, arguing that voters should not be discouraged from following and participating in the debate by the 'long litany' of 'shallow' speeches.