SF urges Ahern to withdraw 'whingers' remark

Sinn Fein has called on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to withdraw remarks he made about anti-Nice Treaty campaigners during the EU summit in Seville at the weekend.

Mr Ahern branded those who oppose the controversial treaty as "whingers", a comment that has drawn criticism from both pro and anti-Nice groups.

Sinn Fein’s Aenghus O’Snodaigh said the Taoiseach has sullied the beginning of the second Nice Treaty campaign by insulting those he disagrees with.

"We’ve proven over the last year through the forum on the future of Europe in Dublin Castle and at all other events that we’re not whingers," Mr O’Snodaigh said.

"We have very practical points to make, we have raised questions which the Government needs to answer and insulting us is not the way forward in any type of debate."