Govt accused of deception over neutrality

The Green Party has accused the Government of attempting to deceive the electorate in relation to Irish neutrality in the run up to this month’s Nice referendum.

Party spokesman John Gormley described the Government’s assertion that neutrality is not affected by the Nice Treaty as “bogus” and said the electorate should realise this.

“The electorate should believe those people that have a good record on the question of Irish neutrality,” Mr Gormley said.

“If you look at the record of the ‘yes’ side, well it’s not very good. In fact, it’s dreadful. They have misled the Irish people and they have, over successive treaties, dismantled Irish neutrality.”

Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers Association has launched its campaign for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, saying the Nice Treaty is vital to ensuring that Ireland plays a central role in EU decision making.

IFA president John Dillon said farmers have nothing to gain by voting ‘no’.

“As most decisions affecting farm incomes are made at EU level, it is vital that the EU functions effectively as new member states join,” he said.

“With major proposals for further CAP reform on the table in Brussels, it is vitally important that Ireland retains the maximum influence in the EU decision-making process.”