Cowen appeals for Yes to Nice

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen yesterday appealed to voters not to take their frustration out on the Government by rejecting the Nice Treaty.

Speaking at the launch of the party's Yes campaign, the foreign minister asked the voters to make their decisions on the basis of the treaty itself and insisted that other issues should be addressed separately.

"I understand the concerns which presently exist about the economic situation in our country. I understand the outrage and anger which has greeted the publication of the Flood Tribunal's interim report," Mr Cowen said.

"But these are issues which must be addressed in their own terms on their own merits. They should be kept quite separate from the treaty of Nice."

Mr Cowen said both Yes and No voters should all agree that the Treaty was too important to become enmeshed in domestic political wranglings. This follows comments by some elements of the No campaign who say the Government cannot be trusted because of its actions in relation to the economy and Flood Tribunal.

Mr Cowen said there could be no hiding place for corrupt practices and said the Government had taken action to ensure there could be no repeat of what the Flood Tribunal uncovered.

Setting out Fianna Fáil's campaign stall, he said the party would fight a positive battle based on the benefits for Ireland and the EU in enlargement of the community. He said a Yes vote meant Ireland would continue to have a strong voice in a bigger EU and:

Would have the same rights of representation as Germany, France, Britain, Spain and Italy.

Would be able to nominate one member to the European Commission until membership reaches 27 countries.

After this stage, a system based on the strict equality between larger and smaller member states is due to be

established.

In the area of military neutrality, he said a Yes vote for the treaty would also amend the Constitution and ensure no Irish Government could join a common defence arrangement without another referendum.

Mr Cowen also spelled out the benefits which applicant countries stand to receive if Ireland votes Yes on October 19. He said a Yes vote would ensure new member states would be in a position to join the union in 2004.

"Are we going to block the legitimate aspirations of the applicant countries who have suffered so much under totalitarian communist regimes for over 40 years since WWII?" Mr Cowen asked.

He said many of the applicant countries joining the EU would be natural political allies as they share many common position on a policy issues with Ireland.

"We have so much to gain from enlargement of the union and we have a lot to lose if we delay EU enlargement," he said.