Govt can secure better than Lisbon - SF

Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has said she has confidence in the ability of the Government to negotiate a better deal for Ireland, if the Lisbon Treaty is defeated next week.

The Government had yet to give a "single convincing reason" why people should vote in favour of the treaty, Ms McDonald said this morning.

There had been no explanation from the Government why it was in Ireland's interest to lose a commissioner, to lose vetoes on public services, or to increase military spending she said.

"Rather they are trying to bully and cajole people into accepting a deal which is clearly not in our interests."

The electorate should vote No next week to give the Government the "clearest possible mandate" to return to the negotiating table and secure a deal that was "good for Ireland and good for Europe" she said.

Sinn Féin said it will be intensifying its No campaign in the coming days with thousands of new posters, a series of newspaper and broadcast media advertisements and internet debates.