REFERENDUM DIGEST

More referendum news and diary dates compiled by Mary Fitzgerald.

More referendum news and diary dates compiled by Mary Fitzgerald.

EVENTS TODAY

Fianna Fáil

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith will be in Cavan.

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Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea is campaigning in Limerick city.

Fine Gael

Party leader Enda Kenny will be in Co Cork and Limerick City.

Visit to EPS Limited Factory, Quartertown Industrial Estate, Mallow, 10.30am.

Canvass at Supervalu Store, Bellevue, Mallow, Co Cork, 10.50 am.

Canvass of Main Street, Charleville, 3.30pm.

Limerick City at Cruises Street, William Street, O'Connell Street, Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre. 1pm.

Labour Party

Party leader Eamon Gilmore will be canvassing in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Sinn Féin

Press conference on Lisbon and Workers' Rights with party president Gerry Adams, Mary Lou McDonald MEP and Dublin Councillor Larry O'Toole, at the party's head office Parnell Square, Dublin 2, at 11:30am.

Progressive Democrats

Leader Ciaran Cannon will be canvassing in Galway.

Senator Fiona O'Malley will be canvassing for a Yes vote at Stephen's Green Luas terminus this evening.

Socialist Party

Party leader Joe Higgins campaigning at GPO 2.15pm.

OTHER GROUPS

European Referendum Campaign

Press conference on protests in Europe "against the undemocratic process of how the Lisbon Treaty is going to be ratified"; Buswell's Hotel, Dublin, 11.30 am

Peace and Neutrality Alliance

German MEP Tobias Pflüger to speak on the military aspects of the Lisbon Treaty at Unite Trade Union Building, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin, 11am.

Corr explains treaty fears

JIM CORR of The Corrs group is voting No to Lisbon because he believes it will lead to a "new world order" and usher in the death penalty.

In an interview with Matt Cooper on Today FM's Last Word, the Dundalk-born musician said he had reached his decision after three years of studying "the new world order which the European Union is a part of".

He described the EU as "a stepping stone towards a world government - they will merge it with the Asia Pacific Union, the African Union and the North American Union". He argued that the Charter of Fundamental Rights allows for the introduction of the death penalty.

Corr told listeners that the treaty will introduce "a scientific technocracy" to Europe which will erode national sovereignty. "What we are seeing is tip-toe totalitarianism in the West," he continued, before going on to claim that overwhelming evidence suggests the 9/11 attacks were carried out by "rogue elements in the Bush neo-con administration".

Kerry farmer campaigns for No vote and warns of bleak future for agriculture

THE KERRY farmer who five years ago led a confrontation with local tourism figures over the use of foreign beef is running a new campaign urging a No vote in next month's referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

As founder of the Kerry Farmers Action Group, Willie Spring led a tractor and trailer protest through Killarney in 2003 to protest against the use of foreign beef in local restaurants.

Mr Spring is now retired from full-time farming and his son has taken over the family beef farm at Ballyraemeen, Castlemaine.

He says the future for Irish farming is bleak and claims the Lisbon Treaty will make it even worse.

Mr Spring has erected signs at his farm gate urging the public to "Vote No to keep Brazilian beef out". He promises that he and his fellow campaigners will step up their protest in the next few weeks.