The Green Party chairman, Mr John Gormley TD, has criticised the former Taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, for "inconsistency" in their arguments for a Yes vote in the Nice referendum.
He said that Mr Bruton, who is also Fine Gael's director of elections for the referendum, welcomed the provisions in the treaty relating to the Commission. But "as Taoiseach, John Bruton always claimed that the retention of the right to nominate a Commissioner was vital. He now seems to have changed his tune. Similarly, Bertie Ahern stated on the 6th November 2000 that 'it is essential that we agree at Nice that each member state retain the right to nominate a Commissioner'. "
He continued that "Pat Cox made a similar statement on the 13th of November . Now the loss of an automatic right to a Commissioner does not seem to pose a problem. Is it any wonder the people are confused?" he asked. He suggested such "U-turns on such a fundamental issue" had undermined the Yes case
The Dublin West Sinn Féin Ardchomhairle member, Ms Marylou McDonald, has claimed that party canvass returns to date indicate the Nice Treaty will be rejected again on October 19th.
In a statement yesterday she said "people are angry about this treaty. They are angry at the fundamentally undemocratic nature of a second referendum. They are concerned about the threats to neutrality and sovereignty."
People were also "worried about our diminishing voice in Europe. On top of that, people don't trust this Government anymore. Following the string of broken promises since the election, people are not going to be taken in a second time by half-truths and empty promises," she said.
She added that "other parties are not out canvassing to any extent and in most constituencies the Yes campaign is entirely absent from the doors". Sinn Féin is organising public meetings in Dublin, Cork, and Galway, which will be addressed by the party president, Mr Gerry Adams. The party is engaged in door-to-door canvassing in 30 constituencies.
Meanwhile, speaking at the Ógra Shinn Féin's "No 2 Nice" campaign in Dublin yesterday, Councillor Matt Carthy said that the Government was wrong if it believed young people were going to save the campaign for them.
"We are young Europeans. More than our parents or grandparents, young Irish people have experience of other cultures and this is a good and positive thing. And we welcome the proposed enlargement of Europe. But our vision is for a Europe of equals, not a European superstate with its own army. We want a Europe based on democracy and accountability where the sovereignty of member-states is protected, not eroded," he said.
He also said the Government was wrong if it believed that young people were going to save the campaign for them. "We welcome the fact that the referendum will be held on a Saturday. We are confident that young people will overwhelmingly vote No on the 19th of October. Any delusions that the Government has that Ireland's youth care less than the rest of the population about democracy, neutrality,or independence are misinformed to say the least," he said.
Over the next two weeks Ógra Shinn Féin planned to canvass in colleges, universities, and "other youth centres the length and breadth of the State".
