Enlargement of the European Union will go ahead under the Amsterdam Treaty irrespective of whether Ireland votes Yes or No, the former EU commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, told a meeting of the National Forum on Europe in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
The key question that had to be asked about Nice was whether it would strengthen or weaken the EU's capacity to manage and to look after a larger union, Mr Flynn said. The answer to that question had to be "Yes", he said.
Being part of Europe had been good for Ireland socially, politically and economically, and after enlargement Ireland would be able to continue to benefit as it had in the past.
Mr Flynn was speaking at a meeting of the forum chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes in the Linen Hall Arts Centre, Castlebar, on Monday night. He said he was not sure that it was politically wise on the occasion the last referendum took place that three referendums had been held on the same day. This was "bad politics".
Mr Flynn added: "You don't ask three questions of major consequence like the death penalty, the International Criminal Court and a question like Nice on the one day. That was not clever."
He recalled there was a very low turnout the last time and said the electoral turnout this time would determine the matter.
Monday night's forum, which was attended by about 100 people, was marked by exchanges between Prof Brigid Laffan, Jean Monnet Professor of European Politics at University College Dublin, and Sinn Féin supporters and public representatives.
In her speech, Prof Laffan took issue with claims by the Sinn Féin leader, Mr Gerry Adams, that the Nice Treaty would mean further steps towards the creation of an EU "superstate" and said there was great irony in the fact that this term was first coined by the Tory right.
At one stage, Prof Laffan pleaded to be heard because of interruptions. "Please let me have my say. There is a respect issue here," she said.
Mr Vincent Wood, a member of the Sinn Féin Ardcomhairle, shared the platform with Prof Laffan and criticised her for "vindictive" language. The future of Europe was being shaped in a direction that he found undemocratic, he said.
Speakers from the floor included Mr Andreas O'Lochlainn, from Leitrim, a carpenter, who spent 18 years in Britain. He said he had voted No last time and would do so again. Ireland had been starting to improve long before it joined the EEC because of the millions of pounds sent back to Ireland by people who had emigrated.
Mr John Feely, also from Leitrim, said he was "emotionally pro-Europe" but was beginning to detect a strong No to Nice feeling. He blamed the Irish political system for not distributing the benefits of Europe to regions such as the west.
Mr Michael Mullen, from Castlebar, said he was pro-Europe but felt another No result was possible because a lot of resentment had built up over the way the Government had neglected the issue last time but was now "coming powerfully at us".
The Socialist Party TD, Mr Joe Higgins, claimed that the "stunning increases" in ESB charges announced a few days ago were directly attributable to economic policy which dictated privatisation down the line. "That increase is to fatten it [THE ESB)]up for the kill before it is handed over to the privateers," Mr Higgins said.
He added that he found the proposed co-operation in the field of armaments "obscene".
Mr Alan Gillis of the European Movement, a former MEP, said he was very concerned by the tone of the meeting. No evidence had been put forward of a "superstate" or a two-tier Europe.
The Mayo Independent TD, Dr Jerry Cowley, said people were concerned about the Nitrate Directive and the Habitats Directive. People had voted against what they saw as "Big Brother", outside dictatorship. That was more to do with the Irish Government and how it didn't do the job it was supposed to do rather than Nice.