7 April 2001

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Sinn Fein calls for NO vote in Treaty of Nice poll `Ireland faces relegation to EU Second Division'

The Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle, meeting in Dublin today, said that the Treaty of Nice ``endangers Irish neutrality and threatens to relegate Ireland to the Second Division of the European Union by increased powers of the larger states''.

Sinn Fein Alderman and Mayor of Sligo Seán MacManus, who is leading the party's `No to the Treaty of Nice' campaign, called on people to use their voice and reject the Treaty when it comes to referendum.

Speaking after the Ard Chomhairle had endorsed his programme for a vigorous door-to-door canvassing, leafleting and poster campaign to encourage people to vote No, Alderman MacManus said:

``The Treaty of Nice pushes us towards a European Army, closer to NATO and threatens to make Ireland a second-class country in the EU.

``That is why we are calling on people to vote No to the Treaty of Nice.''

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