The Government may still be poring over "draft, proposed" wording, but west of the Shannon the European constitution referendum campaign has already begun.
Galway is due to host a "Europe Week" in several days time which will include a keynote address by EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.
The event, which opens on Sunday, will run concurrently with this year's EU Science Olympiad (EUSO), involving second-level science students from across the Community.
Announcing details of the programme yesterday, Minister of State for European Affairs Noel Treacy said he hoped Galway would be the launch pad for this State's ratification of the new constitution later this year.
Mr Treacy predicted that French voters would support the constitution in their referendum this month, and the Taoiseach has been roped in to help. Mr Ahern has been asked by the French newspaper, Le Monde, to write about negotiation of the constitution at last June's inter-governmental conference.
The Europe Week in Galway involves a series of seminars, culminating in a plenary session of the National Forum on Europe chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes.
Among those due to speak are EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Mr McCreevy, former Government minister Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and outgoing president of the European Parliament Dr Pat Cox.
Over 150 second-level science students from all over Europe, including Ireland, will compete in the EU Science Olympiad.
