SINN FÉIN: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.
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."
Ms McDonald would not be drawn on whether she believed the treaty would be defeated, but she said she expected the vote to be "close". The electorate should vote No to give the Government the "clearest possible mandate" to return to the negotiating table.
Sinn Féin said it will intensify its campaign with thousands of new posters and media advertising.
