A group campaigning for a No vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Nice Treaty today read out a "new proclamation" outside the GPO in Dublin.
Action From Ireland (AFrI) is calling for the rejection of the Nice Treaty and for the insertion of a protocol in a renegotiated Treaty, exempting Ireland from the military implications of European integration.
The proclamation, which was read by actor and playwright Mr Donal O'Kelly, was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, stating: "Irishmen and Irishwomen, in the name of God and of the dead generations, from which Ireland used to summon her old tradition of internationalism, I, on behalf of the faceless bureaucrats of Europe and North America, summon your children to their flag and strike against the freedom of others."
Recently AFrI has visited Kildare, Laois and Cork where local groups have been formed to campaign for a No vote. They are due to go to Galway later this month and plan to hold a rally towards the end of the referendum campaign.
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AFrI co-ordinator Mr Joe Murray, told
ireland.com
that he had been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the public.
"We received support from people we didn't expect. Businessmen have told me that they will be voting No. There could be a big shock in store for the Government."
AFrI chairperson, Mr Andy Storey, said that as there were no selfish economic reasons to vote Yes there was nothing to stop the electorate from voting No.
"People can still vote No and remain a good European. The Danish Government has already made clear, through a Treaty protocol, that it will not participate in the new military arrangements. Ireland could easily do that."
Last month the Taoiseach said that 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.