Holding a referendum on the Nice Treaty continued to be under urgent consideration, the Taoiseach said.

"The Government will take a final decision when the formal text of the Nice Treaty has been finalised by EU legal experts and when the advice of the Attorney General has been received," Mr Ahern added.

"I hope and expect that we will soon be in a position to take that decision. "However, I have asked that officials ensure that the preparatory work necessary for a referendum is put in train so as to give the Government the full range of options as to timing."

The Taoiseach said that given our historical experience, and our experience of EU membership, Ireland had a special responsibility to offer potential new partners the same opportunities from which the State was able to benefit.