THE referendum to change the bail laws will be held on Thursday, November 28th, the Taoiseach said. Mr Bruton told the House on the Order of Business he was confident the referendum would be passed, and he urged the Opposition parties to campaign for a Yes vote.

Earlier, the Progressive Democrats leader, Ms Mary Harney, said she had been told by the Department of Justice that no date had been fixed yet for the referendum and she wondered if there were still differences at Cabinet over the issue. Mr Bruton said there were no differences and the legislation for the referendum would be published very soon.