Postal, electricity and water services could be "forcibly" privatised against Ireland's wishes if the Nice Treaty is ratified, the Alliance Against Nice has warned.
The group, a coalition of left-leaning political parties and campaign groups, said Article 133 of the treaty undermined the protection of public services within the EU.
Whereas currently the privatisation of such services required the unanimous approval of the European Council, as well as consultation with the European Parliament, after Nice it could be introduced by qualified-majority voting, the alliance said.
Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins said this "key change" was being "smuggled in under the cover of enlargement".
"We believe that the economic ramifications of Nice have not been outlined. There are serious implications for the future of our public services due to Article 133."
Sinn Féin TD Mr Séan Crowe said the provision meant "a vote for Nice is a vote for privatisation".
"Article 133 will allow the unelected EU Commission to open and conduct negotiations with international organisations like the World Trade Organisation on agreement such as the General Agreement on Trade in Services, or GATS.
"The GATS agreement deals with 140 sections in the area of services. It has direct consequences for essential public sector services, including health, education, transport, etc."
The provision had direct implications for his constituents. "For them, this treaty isn't just some dry, technical document. It is the thin end of a wedge that could lead to privatisation of the services my constituents rely on."
Mr Pádraig Mannion, of the Workers' Party, criticised the "capitalist agenda being driven through the EU". If the treaty amendments were ratified, "there will not be any difference between Berlin and Boston".
The alliance, whose membership includes the Green Party and Independent TDs Mr Finian McGrath, Mr Tony Gregory, and Mr Seamus Healy, is holding a series of public meetings in Dublin, Cork and Limerick next week. These will be held on October 9th, 10th and 11th respectively at Wynns Hotel, Shandon Court Hotel and the Royal George Hotel, each starting at 8 p.m.
Northern Ireland's Minister for Education, Mr Martin McGuinness, was in Dublin yesterday to lend his support to the campaign.
