The second referendum on Nice will take place on October 19th, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, announced this afternoon. It will be the first time a national poll will be held on a Saturday.
October 19th is the earliest possible date for a referendum as legislation requires the Government to give at least 30 days notice of the polling date.
The Government confirmed the Minister for Environment, Mr Martin Cullen, has signed an order appointing the 19th as the polling day.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting in Co Donegal, Mr Ahern urged everyone to vote Yes and claimed it would be a disaster for Ireland and the applicant countries if the treaty was rejected again.
The Taoiseach warned enlargement of the EU would not be stopped by a `No' vote but it would be delayed.
Mr Ahern said applicant countries could not be expected to forgive Ireland if they are denied entry after nearly a decade of preparation to join the EU.
He said he hoped the decision to hold the vote on a Saturday would bring out the student vote.
The Tánaiste, Ms Mary Harney, echoed his comment saying she hoped a weekend date would ensure "a maximum turnout".
The setting of the date, which could mean another short campaign - as was the case with the last general election and referendum campaigns - came after yesterday's poll finding that only 16 per cent of Irish people "adequately understand" the issues surrounding Nice.
A survey also found that just over one quarter of people under the age of 24 intended to vote.
A poll published today in the Irish Farmers' Journalshowed the Yes vote among the 400 farmers polled had dropped from 47 to 45 per cent. t indicated the number of farmers planning to vote No had increased by eight points to 27 per cent.
The outgoing Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn TD welcomed the decision to announce the date but criticised the relatively short time allowed for campaigning.
"The deadline for ratification is not until the end of the year and extra two or three weeks for the campaign would have been helpful in facilitating a comprehensive debate."
The independent Referendum Commission is charged with raising awareness of the issues surrounding Nice and yesterday began its publicity campaign.
The first television advertisements were aired last night and others will be placed on billboards, radio, newspapers and the Internet in the run-up to polling day.
Additional reporting PA & AFP