Irish people are entitled to expect a forceful, honest and coherent performance from Government Ministers on the problems they face, writes John McGuinness TD
Stand up, look the public in the eye, tell them where we are and tell them what we are going to do about it, and stop relying on spin because we are all getting dizzy - over both the economy and the Nice referendum.
That is the advice I am giving to members of the Government.
I believe the last Nice campaign was lost because the Government was too casual about it and this campaign is balanced on a knife-edge because the Government is not presenting a united front.
In 2001, condescension was the problem. We thought we could stick up a few posters and the public would dutifully do the business. They didn't because we didn't.
This time around, we are beset by local concerns and a lack of confidence, which again is damaging the campaign.
But politicians are elected to give leadership from the front, no matter how much under fire they are, and the Nice referendum is a challenge we must rise to confidently.
The prospect that a people whose ancestors knocked on the doors of many nations, and were made welcome, might deny that right to others is not one I wish to contemplate. I am certain on this occasion that the Irish people will set aside their anger about election promises and tribunal revelations and vote Yes in the referendum.
But the Irish people want - and are entitled to expect - a clear, honest message from the Government. They want Ministers, senior and junior, to stand up and present a forceful and coherent argument for a Yes vote and show they have the backbone to face the challenges an expanded Europe presents.
That is also what the people want on the economy. The public knows that Ireland, like the rest of the world, is facing harsh economic conditions, and, frankly, they can see through the election hyperbole.
But now they want action, not activity. They want to know exactly where this country is now, and exactly what positive, practical steps the Government is going to take to remedy the situation. They don't want spin or euphemisms. Everyone knows what a cut is, there is blood on the carpet.
The Nice referendum is not about local concerns, serious though they are, nor is it about rapping the Government's knuckles. There will be time enough for that later. It is about the expectations and the right of nations such as Hungary, Romania, Poland and others to build their economies, share in success and enjoy security.
It is about Ireland keeping its place in the heart of Europe and the Irish people generously extending the hand of friendship, confident of their ability to continue playing an important role in an expanded Europe.
The No campaigners are negative and irresponsible because they are unable to complain about the size of the cheques or the benefits this country has received from Europe.
The No campaigners are concentrating on the fact that green ink hasn't been used to write the cheques and on how unfair it is benefits bring responsibilities.
The No campaigners are telling us we will be swamped in an enlarged Europe and we may end up with defence responsibilities.
Look at history before you buy that line. Look at the great public offices that, despite being a minority, Irish people and their descendants held and still hold, in other countries. We were not swamped in Australia, New Zealand or America. We will not be swamped in Europe.
In considering the defence issue, we should consider the tens of thousands of Irishmen who fought for freedom in two World Wars and ask ourselves, if Europe was threatened, would that not happen again, treaty or no treaty? We cannot take the benefits and leave the responsibility and pain to someone else.
Ireland has every reason to be confident of its place in an expanded Europe. We were an energetic, imaginative people, who are still the envy of Europe. We should stride confidently towards a bigger, more exciting challenge, led by a Government with vision and purpose.
My fear is that the No campaigners will exploit the negative mood in the country, brought on by local and international bad news of one sort or another. I call on the Government and the other political parties to respond to that challenge.
This is a time for leadership from all politicians but particularly from the Government. Nice is hugely important and the case has to be presented forcefully and confidently.
It is not good enough that Ministers use their time to fly kites and engage in spin on local issues. It is time for a united, focused national effort and time to acknowledge too that the Irish people are right to demand that the Government shows leadership and energy.
The Taoiseach has shown himself to be an astute and skilful politician, who has played a significant role in the peace process and Ireland's economic success.
Bertie Ahern is now facing a new set of circumstances and challenges which, in fairness, he must be given time to adjust to.
But I am confident that he will quickly find his feet and do what is necessary to restore confidence in the Government and the country.