9 May 2001

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SF to take leading role in NO campaign

Sinn Fein Mayor of Sligo and party spokesperson on European affairs Sean MacManus has said that Sinn Fein will be ``mounting a vigorous campaign for a No vote in the Treaty of Nice campaign.  Speaking at the launch of the Party's campaign in Dublin today  Alderman MacManus said:

``Sinn Fein will be mounting a vigorous campaign for a No vote in the Treaty of Nice campaign.  The main issues which we will be focusing on will be:

sovereignty,

neutrality and

the drive to create a two tier Europe.  

``We will be mobilising our whole organisation as we take a leading role in the No campaign.  Party activists will be canvassing houses the length and breadth of Ireland as well as distributing almost three quarters of a million leaflets.  Two posters will also be produced in the course of the campaign and will be placed in  towns and villages across Ireland.

``We should remember that in the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty 39% voted NO.   And despite the best efforts of Brian Cowen and his government colleagues at portraying the Treaty of Nice as a done deal we in Sinn Fein are confident that if people have access to the full information we can secure a No vote and in doing so stop a treaty that is bad for Europe and bad for Ireland.''

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Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
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