Opposition within the Ulster Unionist Party to the Northern Ireland Agreement appeared to be growing last night, as two UUP groups issued statements supporting a No vote in the referendum.
The executive committee of the Ulster Young Unionist Council and the UUP branch at Queen's University rejected the pact, saying it gave Dublin increased power in the North's affairs.
The groups outlined their position as the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, expressed confidence that he would win a substantial majority when around 700 delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council vote on the peace deal in Belfast tomorrow.
Six of Mr Trimble's nine parliamentary colleagues are understood to be opposed to the agreement and the UUP's four honorary secretaries are reportedly sceptical.
Two groups have indicated they will picket tomorrow's meeting - the hardline Spirit of Drumcree group and a group representing victims of IRA violence.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, confirmed that his party will not deliver its verdict on the pact at its ardfheis in Dublin this weekend.
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, last night urged the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, not to hold the referendum on the Northern Ireland Agreement in tandem with the vote on the Amsterdam Treaty. "Sinn Fein are calling for a No vote in the Amsterdam Treaty," he added.