Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has given his clearest signal yet that the Lisbon Treaty referendum will be held on June 12 th.
Mr Ahern told a press conference in Brussels, where he is attending a European Union summit, that the date would be finalised during discussions with Fine Gael and Labour next week.
"I think we're somewhere in or around the 12 th," he said. "We're trying to play around exams a bit to be honest with you. You have third-level exams, we are such a highly-intelligent people, the exams start in early May and they go on till the end of June."
Mr Ahern said he wanted a date that would ensure as many younger voters as possible turned out. He also favoured holding the vote before "everyone goes away to their villas and their country houses" in mid-June.
He also ruled out a weekend vote.
Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, who opposes the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, today attacked Mr Ahern's comments.
"What is our Taoiseach trying to prove to the international media? Many Irish people are struggling to survive in our over-priced economy and while Mr Ahern may move in circles where people have 'private villas and country homes', to the vast majority of Irish citizens [these] are an unachievable dream."
The Lisbon Treaty Referendum Bill was published last week.
Announcing details of the 28th Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2008, Dermot Ahern said it was designed to enable the State to ratify the Lisbon Treaty while reaffirming the prohibition on Ireland's participation in a common EU defence policy.