The Tánaiste, Mary Harney TD, speaking to the German-Irish Chamber of Industry & Commerce today has said the apprehension expressed by a majority of business poll respondents to a no vote must be taken seriously.
Over 80 per cent of businesses that responded to a Chamber poll believed a no vote would have negative consequences and would 'hit people in their pockets'. She said it `points to the need for all of us to clearly outline the compelling case for a yes vote.'
She also said the Nice Treaty was another 'opportunity for Irish people to commit ourselves to securing a European continent of peace and prosperity'.
She said that Nice was 'not a power grab by the large Member State [Germany] but is a balanced and fair agreement for all.'
The Tánaiste continued to say there 'was no prospect of a mass movement of people away from their countries and into Ireland upon joining the European Union' and that 'people want to develop at home, and they see their best chance of doing this is in the context of membership of the European Union.'
She said Germany's example was a `good lesson for Ireland, for accession countries and for the whole of Europe.'
Werner Schwanberg the Chamber chairman also spoke and said that `the results of the chamber Nice treaty survey are very encouraging.'