The No to Nice Campaign spokesman, Mr Justin Barrett, has called on the Government to condemn what he describes as "racial slurs" by the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, who is campaigning alongside the Government for a Yes vote on the Treaty.
Referring to the use of the word "nigger" by Mr Kenny at a recent party function, he said this had been greeted with silence from the same Government which had regularly condemned anti-Nice campaigners as "xenophobic".
The No to Nice Campaign wanted equal treatment for Ireland in relation to migration from eastern Europe after EU enlargement instead of the present situation where most of the other existing member-states were reserving the right to restrict access.
"For this we have been attacked," Mr Barrett said. "However, when a fellow Yes campaigner, in the form of the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, tells a supposed joke using language reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan, there is silence from the Government."
There should be the strongest condemnation of Mr Kenny by the Government. "Otherwise we can only conclude that the hot air spouted over the past few weeks is not only inaccurate but betrays a fundamental hypocrisy. A section of the Yes coalition has disgraced itself, and by their silence the Government is complicit."
The Fine Gael leader should seriously consider his position, Mr Barrett continued. "Certainly no leader of the No to Nice Campaign would be permitted to remain in place after making such offensive comments, not that the situation could arise in any case.
"The nearly successful attempt to muzzle media commentary is a further concern," he said.
Meanwhile, the employers' organisation, IBEC, said a further rejection of Nice would be against the national interest. "IBEC regards the Nice Treaty as an essential vehicle through which the wider concept of enlargement can be allowed to proceed smoothly and on schedule.
"We also believe that ratification of Nice this autumn will be necessary if we are to avoid a period of unprecedented uncertainty, which would create a very difficult environment in which to promote business and investment.
"Business, therefore, makes no apology for saying we want to ensure that the Irish public is under no illusions as to the implications of their actions when they come to cast their vote this autumn.
"Our actions will have consequences, and it is important to acknowledge these."
IBEC would shortly be launching an "unprecedented" campaign to ensure the public was informed of the business and economic message.