20/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said it would be a "disaster" if, during the referendum on 19 October, Ireland did not ratify the Treaty of Nice (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5). "We would weaken our position in Europe, (…) and I cannot think of one good reason why Irish people would vote no", he told the press. Mary Harney, Deputy Prime Minister, said holding the referendum on a Saturday (virtually a first for Ireland) would allow "the maximum number of people to vote". Danish European Affairs Minister Bertel Haarder, for his part, said he was very pleased that the referendum was to take place before the European Council on 24 and 25 October, and noted "now we cross our fingers".