REFERENDUM DIGEST

Referendum news and today's schedule of events on the campaign trail.

Referendum news and today's schedule of events on the campaign trail.

Today's events

Fianna Fáil:Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews will be canvassing during the Dublin Mini-Marathon

Labour Party:Eamon Gilmore will canvass in Dún Laoghaire, starting at the Tea Rooms in Peoples Park at 2pm

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Joe Costello will canvass in Dublin Central constituency. 11am-4pm

Progressive Democrats:Senator Fiona OMalley will canvass at Carrickmines Retail Centre 12pm-2pm

Victor Boyhan will campaign at Dún Laoghaire town centre 4pm.

Sinn Féin:Arthur Morgan TD, Councillor Tomás Sharkey and Ógra Sinn Féin members will protest against the Euratom proposals in the Lisbon Treaty. European Parliament office, Dawson Street, Dublin. 2pm

Mary Lou McDonald MEP will canvass in O'Devaney Gardens. 7pm.

Libertas:Declan Ganley will outline the organisations plans for the rest of its campaign. Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin. 11am

Food industry group calls for Yes vote

The body representing Ireland's food and beverage industry has come out in support of the Lisbon Treaty. Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) said a Yes vote was the right choice for the sector.

"The food and drink industry is heavily dependent on exports, and 73 per cent of those exports go to the EU," FDII director Paul Kelly said.

"It is clear that the sector can only benefit from a treaty, which will reform how decisions are made in the EU so that Europe can remain an engine for economic growth and prosperity," he added.

"A Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty will mean a more efficient and effective EU, retain Irelands strong voice at the European table and maintain the export-led growth of the food and drink sector.

No group asks gardaí to investigate disappearance of nine banners

Anti-Lisbon Treaty campaigners highlighting what they argue is EU appeasement of Israel, have asked gardaí in Dublin and Limerick to investigate the disappearance of nine banners they had erected at various sites in the two cities.

"Only signs critical of Israel and EU foreign policy have been targeted so this is obviously being orchestrated by elements who don't want the Irish public alerted to the fact that EU policy facilitates Israeli crimes against humanity," says Seán Clinton, from the Lisbon Campaign for Middle East Justice and Peace.

The group's banners, one of which was removed from its position close to the Israeli embassy in Ballsbridge, are double-sided and measure eight feet by four feet. Eleven have been erected so far and the group says it aims to extend its campaign to other cities before the June 12th referendum.

Yes bus arrives to a whole lot of no

"The 'Yes on the EU' bus rolled into town blaring a foot-stomping Galway Girl from its megaphone one afternoon last week, but what it got was a whole lot of no."

- Los Angeles Timesjournalist Kim Murphy reports on a Fianna Fáil canvass in Nenagh.