The economic argument about the Nice Treaty is "the ultimate in red herrings", according to the Green Party. Its TD for Cork South Central, Mr Dan Boyle, said that to pretend that Ireland's economic future depended on a Yes or No vote was "fundamentally dishonest". Ireland would have to face the challenges anyway whether the electorate voted Yes or No.

He told the Dáil the "pretence" that in all circumstances, and at all times, Ireland's economy benefited from EU membership could not go unchallenged. It was "taken as read" that Ireland had benefited economically but for half of that membership, the first 15 years, "all economic indicators are negative. Unemployment sky-rocketed and budget deficits soared."

He acknowledged the single market in 1986 as the driving force which brought direct foreign investment into Ireland. However, the intrinsic advantage Ireland enjoyed in relation to the single market "is already being eroded".

Ireland's "tax advantages, our education advantages and even our location advantages are all advantages that can be equalled, if not bettered, by many of the new applicant countries and the best of good luck to them". Changing circumstances had led in 2001 to a net loss of 4,000 jobs.

Sinn Féin's leader in the Dáil, Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, said the very holding of the referendum "sends out the message that the people of the smaller states do not have the right to say No".

Those opposed to Nice "have been accused of damaging respect for Ireland internationally. But only those with self-respect earn the respect of others."

When the electorate voted No it was a mandate for the Government to seek a renegotiation of the Nice Treaty "but the people's mandate was spurned". The Taoiseach told the other EU heads of government that they could proceed with ratification of the treaty.

"The Government displayed to all of Europe a lack of respect for its own people and surely that can only have diminished the international standing of the Irish Government and of this State," the Cavan-Monaghan deputy said.

A Government which was "fundamentally dishonest and arrogant" could not be trusted with the Nice Treaty, the Tipperary South Independent TD, Mr Seamus Healy, said. "Alarmist statements about the dire economic consequences of voting No is simply bullying in my view, and it will not be successful."

There was "no carrot with Nice. There is rather a reduction in Ireland's power and influence because of the basic changes Nice makes in the EU's decision making rules". This favoured the larger states and "effectively destroys the EU as a partnership of equals".

Mr Finian McGrath (Ind, Dublin North Central) said he was voting No for six reasons. They included Ireland losing its place as an equal partner at the heart of Europe as a result of the treaty. He disagreed with Ireland losing its commissioner for a quarter of the time and losing its veto to the larger states.

He was concerned that the EU could spend billions on armaments but "can't feed the starving of the world", and he warned that the weapons' industry viewed Ireland as a "greenfield site" for armaments.

The debate resumes today.