Anti-Nice TDs protest outside Dail

A small number of TDs have held a protest against the Nice Treaty outside Leinster House in Dublin today.

The demonstration was called to coincide with the recall of the Dail to debate the controversial accord, which was rejected by 54% of the Irish electorate last year.

The protestors were made up of Green Party and Sinn Fein TDs, as well as a number of independent deputies opposed to Nice.

Dublin TD Tony Gregory said he believes the Government’s decision to re-run last year’s referendum is undemocratic. "What’s happening in the Dail over the next couple of weeks is a negation of democracy," he said.

"The people voted in a referendum, made their decision and the Government apparently didn’t like the decision so they’re running a second referendum. That doesn’t make any sense to me, I think it’s anti-democratic and it’s something I’m very, very strongly opposed to."