The Government yesterday expressed confidence that the Nice Treaty will be endorsed following a Cabinet meeting to discuss the referendum campaign.
A statement said the issues which had arisen in the campaign were reviewed by the Taoiseach and his Ministers. "They are confident that the vigorous campaign which is under way, with strong support for a Yes vote from business, the trade unions, the farm bodies, and a range of other groups, will ensure a positive outcome to the campaign," the statement added.
A Government spokesperson said the Cabinet received a presentation on the campaign, in which it was stressed that the referendum was winnable but required work to achieve a victory.
More people were willing to vote than last time, and the key to winning was explaining the issues, the Taoiseach and his Ministers were told. Mr Ahern is meeting farming organisations today in Cork, and they are expected to endorse the treaty.
After yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Fianna Fáil Ministers and Ministers of State were addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who is the party's director of elections. The party's general secretary, Mr Martin Mackin, made a presentation on the referendum strategy.
A Fianna Fáil spokesman said the organisation had been put on alert to intensify the Yes campaign this weekend, particularly in shopping centres and at church gates.
Apart from the party's posters, one million leaflets were being distributed to the 42 constituencies.
"You are looking at the biggest European-related campaign since the referendum on Ireland entering the then EEC in 1972," he added.
The spokesman admitted that Fianna Fáil canvassers were encountering queries on issues apart from Nice, particulary relating to third-level fees. However, he believed that people were distinguishing between domestic political events and the terms of the treaty.
The issues relating to the treaty centred on jobs, growth and Ireland's future, he added.
The spokesman claimed that in parts of Dublin Fianna Fáil posters had been systematically removed. "This is more than the kind of thing you encounter in general elections. Swathes of referendum posters have disappeared."
The Government statement said that Ministers had summarised 10 reasons for a Yes vote, representing an overwhelming case to keep Ireland at the heart of Europe.
These noted that a clear majority of people who abstained or voted No last time felt they did not have enough information to vote Yes. The establishment of the Forum on Europe, a vigorous national debate and an extensive information campaign, had changed that. Concerns about neutrality had been addressed, while the European Union Bill, which was currently being enacted, would further strengthen Oireachtas scrutiny of EU legislation.
The statement said the constitutional amendment meant that Ireland could not take part in a EU common defence without a further referendum.
The terms of the treaty represented a good outcome for Ireland, protecting our equal status with other member-states and our national discretion on tax policy. It added that the principle of absolute equality between the member-states in the appointment of Commissioners was guaranteed by Nice.
The treaty confirmed Ireland's position as a full player at the heart of Europe, benefiting economically and socially from EU membership and from every enlargement of the EU.
The statement said voting Yes enabled the enlargement of the EU to proceed as planned, which was the best hope for securing peace and stability across Europe.
