Ireland - Vote Set on Treaty - NYTimes.com The government announced Tuesday that it would hold a referendum on the European fiscal treaty on May 31, a vote that could help increase international confidence in the country, or block it from obtaining further aid. The government describes the treaty, which proposes tighter spending and deficit rules for the 17-nation euro zone, as a path to renewed prosperity. Critics say it will doom Ireland to perpetual austerity. Rejection of the pact would block Ireland's access to future European bailout funds.