Labour urges vote to drop death penalty

Voters were urged by the Labour Party today not to let the debate on the Nice Treaty obscure the importance of the referendum on the death penalty.

The retention of the death penalty was a blemish on the society it represents, said Mr Michael D. Higgins, party foreign affairs spokesman.

The Labour Party launched a Yes campaign to abolish the death penalty and ratify the international Criminal Court.

A Yes vote to abolish the death penalty would be a sign of a mature society, Mr Higgins said.

"Aweekendpollwhichshowed that 28 per centof people intend to vote to retain the provision ofthe death penalty in our Constitution shows that we should not be complacent in our campaign to ensure that this referendum is passed," he said.