Jean-Marie Le Pen plans to bring representatives from several European far-right groups with him to Ireland in February to campaign against the EU reform treaty, his party's deputy leader has told The Irish Times.
Bruno Gollnisch, deputy leader of France's National Front, said the party expected an invitation from "Irish friends" within the next week. He refused to divulge who may extend an invitation to the extreme-right party.
"We have friends as individuals and as groups in Ireland. No decision has been made as to who will officially invite us but, in fact, we do not need an invitation. We would, however, prefer to assist Irish friends who want us to help," he said.
Mr Gollnisch said the visit would probably take place in February. He said the party hoped that "friends" from other European far-right groups, including the Freedom Party in Austria and the Vlaams Belang party in Belgium, would join them.
The party would like to hold press conferences, debates and perhaps even rallies during the visit, Mr Gollnisch said.
The Republic is the only EU state to hold a referendum on the reform treaty, which is due to be signed in Lisbon today.
In October, Mr Le Pen attacked the treaty at a sitting of the European Parliament, saying it represented a denial of democracy for the people of Europe.
Mr Gollnisch clashed with Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan during a debate in Strasbourg yesterday when Mr Ryan took issue with references Mr Gollnisch made to "barbarians" during a debate on the rise of extremism in Europe. Referring to the National Front's plans to campaign in the run-up to the Irish referendum, Mr Ryan told the French MEP that his politics had "no place or support" in Ireland.
Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said she hoped Mr Le Pen would not visit Ireland, saying his presence would be more likely to help the Yes campaign. Mr Gollnisch dismissed the suggestion that the presence of his leader could damage the No campaign.
Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche said he was concerned European far-right groups such as Mr Le Pen's National Front may use Ireland as a "battleground" in the months leading up to the referendum. "I would much prefer if they kept out of our affairs. Irish people are more than able to make up their own minds on this issue."
He added: "We will deal with these people in a robust manner if they come to Ireland."