Martin attacks ‘no to Lisbon’ campaigners
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has launched an attack on some of the groups campaigning for a 'No' vote in the re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Mr Martin claimed today that a coalition of Sinn Féin, Youth Defence and the UK Independence Party was trying to distort the debate through misrepresentations and inventions.
He said UKIP was preparing to embark on a campaign involving "nasty and deceptive" literature and he urged Irish people not to be fooled.
Sinn Féin, meanwhile, has reiterated its view that voters are being asked to decide on the same treaty they rejected last year.
Caoimhghin O' Caolain told the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee today that the Government has failed to secure any changes to the text of the treaty since the last vote.
He said the guarantees and declarations relating to neutrality, taxation, ethical issues, workers rights and the retention of a commissioner would not change the impact of the treaty on Ireland or Europe.
