Saying No to the Nice Treaty means the Irish are inward-looking, self-satisfied and complacent about their national interest and international role, the former Progressive Democrat leader, Mr Des O'Malley said today.
In a strong statement condemning a No vote in Thursday’s referendum on the Nice Treaty, Mr O’Malley said the public should consider the negative and selfish signal it would send to the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe.
Mr O’Malley rejected what he described as the "patronising attitude of ragbag opponents of the treaty to the people of Central and Eastern Europe", saying it was totally "without credibility".
He said: "The opponents of Nice offer nothing to the peoples of Ireland and Europe. They do not deal with the real world; they have never negotiated anything for Ireland in Europe or elsewhere. Their policies are hostile to job-creation, prosperity, freedom and stability here and on the European continent."
The treaty, he argued, has one purpose - to make the EU capable of working effectively with more member states. A Yes vote, he said, will mean the Republic is confident about sharing the opportunities for peace and prosperity in the EU with new member states.
As the June 7th referendum draws closer, Mr O’Malley was one of many TD’s to urge for a Yes vote over the weekend.
Reacting to yesterday's Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll which showed a seven per cent fall in public support for the treaty, the Tánaiste Ms Mary Harney called on people to focus on the "big picture" when considering the treaty.
The poll showed 45 per cent intend to vote for the treaty, seven points down on the last poll (published May 19th). It indicated the percentage of those intending to vote No has increased to 28 per cent. The number with no opinion is unchanged at 27 per cent.
In a statemnet yesterday, the Tánaiste expressed her concern at the high level of "don’t knows" in the poll and urged people to focus on the central issue of the Nice Treaty - the benefits of enlargement, the opening of new markets and the prospect of peace in Central Europe.
The Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, also urged people to vote Yes. He said: "The main purpose of the Nice Treaty is to prepare the Union for the significant expansion in its membership in the next few decades."
However the poll results were welcomed by Sinn Féin Councillor Mr Seán Crowe who said he expected to see a substantial shift against the Treaty over the coming week.
He said the Government’s failure to provide an opportunity for "real debate" on the treaty was reflected in the poll as 50 per cent said they were only vaguely aware or not aware of what the treaty is about.
About 58 independent politicians have also come out in support of the No campaign including independent MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon, Independent TDs, Mr Harry Blaney, Mr Tony Gregory and Mr Seamus Healy, Senator David Norris along with over 50 town commissioners and councillors from around the State.