"Countries that hold back have less influence in the EU and as a consequence their interests suffer," the Taoiseach Mr Ahern said today.
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The Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern
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Launching the Fianna Fail campaign for a Yes vote in the Nice Referendum in Dublin Mr Ahern accused Nice Treaty critics of being "ideological bedfellows of the Tory Euroscpetics" obsessed with old-fashioned concepts of sovereignty.
The only alternative to full EU membership is to revert to being a poor economic satellite of Great Britain - "a province once again," he said.
In relation to the Rapid Reaction Force he said the EU should not have its own army but that co-operation be based on national armies.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Brian Cowen said a No vote would be disastrous for Ireland, the applicants and Europe itself. He claimed the arguments put forward by the No lobby were "red herrings".
The enlargement of the Union would increase the market for Irish exports from 370 to 500 million consumers creating more jobs at home, Mr Cowen said.
In what was a clear reference to voter apathy the Taoiseach urged the Irish people not to stay away from the polls and allow "an irresponsible decision" to be taken by the few.
