No to Nice campaigners condemn €500m grants ‘bribe’ to farmers

GOVERNMENT efforts to take advantage of €500 million worth of EU grants to sell the Nice Treaty to farmers was described as bribery by No campaigners yesterday.

The Green Party strongly condemned the fast-tracking and boosting of subsidies to ensure they are paid just days before the referendum date, while Sinn Féin slammed it as a cynical ploy.

EU grants worth €500m will be paid out to livestock farmers on October 16 just three days before the referendum date.