The Minister of State for European Affairs, Dick Roche, has said the Government will announce a date for the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty following a Dáil debate immediately after the Easter break.
His comments on RTÉ's News at One came as the Government published a Bill to amend the constitution in areas such as defence, security and justice.
Mr Roche said the referendum will take place in late May or early June.
A rejection of the treaty by Irish voters could topple the whole project, which is designed to end years of wrangling over reform of the EU's institutions.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said TDs, who must approve the measure, would begin to debate the bill immediately after the Dáil returns from its Easter recess.
The Government and the Opposition back the treaty, with only Sinn Féin opposing it.
Opponents of the treaty fear it will endanger Ireland's traditional military neutrality, but the Government has said it has enough safeguards to avoid that.
Mr Ahern said: 'The bill clearly reaffirms the prohibition of Irish participation in a common defence alliance (in the EU) and there is no proposal at all in that respect.'
Mr Ahern said he had great faith in the Irish people backing a 'Yes' vote despite the treaty being a 'difficult document' to understand for some.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, has established a Referendum Commission on the treaty.
Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill will act as Chairperson of the
Commission.
