6th September 2002

---

Ó Snodaigh accuses Taoiseach of engaging in a phony war of words on Nice

Sinn Fein TD for Dublin South Central Aengus Ó Snodaigh has accused the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern of engaging in a phony war of words on the Nice Treaty. Deputy Ó Snodaigh said:

``Once again today the Taoiseach, rather than address the real issues, engaged in a phony war of words on the Nice Treaty. As he is well aware there is nobody advocating that Ireland be anything less than active participants at European level. However this does not mean that we have to sign up to a flawed Treaty that is neither in the interests of this state, other EU members or indeed the applicant states.

``The Taoiseach went onto say that there are issues being raised that have nothing to do with the Treaty yet he is the one who is constantly raising the issue of immigration despite the fact that the main No groups have said that we are in agreement with him on this matter.

``Over the last two days we saw the debate in Leinster House on the Nice Treaty reduced to almost farcical levels with the No side all but excluded due to the government failure to bring forward much needed changes to standing orders.

``If the Taoiseach is truly interested in a real debate on the Nice Treaty he will see this matter rectified before the Dáil returns again on Tuesday

---

Sinn Fein Press Office, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
E-mail: sinnfein@irlnet.com   ·   Website: http://www.sinnfein.org

---

Sinn Fein   ·   Sinn Fein Documents

---