Those who oppose the Nice Treaty, saying Ireland will be swept aside within Europe, betray a fundamental lack of confidence in Ireland and its people, the Taoiseach said last night.
Mr Ahern said the treaty would be good for Europe and good for Ireland. Speaking to members of the Institute of European Affairs, he said enlarging the EU was a challenge and an opportunity which Ireland should embrace.
"An enlarged Union, a greater single market, will be very much in our interests - as those Irish businesses already operating in places like Poland know well. It is in Ireland's interests, both politically and economically, for the whole continent of Europe to be prosperous, stable and democratic."
Fine Gael yesterday called for the postponement of the Nice Treaty referendum until the Autumn because of foot-and mouth.
Jim Cusack adds: The Treaty of Nice will not change the State's policy of neutrality and Irish peacekeeping troops will continue to serve only in operations authorised by the United Nations, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has said.
The Minister was speaking during a visit to Kosovo yesterday to meet the 106 troops serving in the Irish Transport Unit based in Lipjan on the main route between Pristina and Skopje.
Mr Smith said later he was reassured that there was no threat to the Irish troops arising from the insurrection by Kosovar Muslims in the Tetovo area of Macedonia.
