Bertie Ahern, Ireland's prime minister, hopes to wrap up more than two tortuous years of negotiations on a European Union constitutional treaty in a single morning next month.

Mr Ahern, holder of the rotating EU presidency, wrote to fellow leaders yesterday saying he would try to conclude the treaty talks before lunch on Friday June 18, the second day of the EU summit. The audacious timetable reflects the Irish presidency's confidence it can put forward a final treaty text that commands support from all 25 EU leaders. "I think we can do it in a reasonable time frame," said an official close to Mr Ahern. "I wouldn't rule out the debate going on into Friday evening or even into the early hours of Saturday, but we're not staying all weekend."

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