Sinn Fein/Greens slam Nice wording

The Green Party and Sinn Fein have criticised the Government’s proposed wording for a referendum bid to reverse last year’s rejection of the Nice Treaty in a nationwide poll.

The Green’s John Gormley claimed there had been ‘‘no major adjustment’’ in the new terms for the plebiscite, which, he said, amounted to evidence of ‘‘a real democratic deficit in Europe’’.

He also made it clear that the Greens had ‘‘no option’’ but to campaign against a referendum Yes vote, adding: ‘‘We are hopeful that Irish people will see through this scam.’’

For Sinn Fein, Europe spokesman Aengus O'Snodaigh said that neither the proposed wording nor declarations made on Ireland’s military neutrality 'can alter one syllable in the Treaty of Nice'.

‘‘It does not address the militarisation of the EU, which will proceed if Nice is ratified here. The Government has failed to safeguard Irish neutrality in the constitution.’’