"The stated intention of the Government, not to use the Irish Navy to police nor to even observe the movements of the two British Nuclear Fuel Freighters that are about to enter the Irish Sea, carrying 225kg of weapons grade plutonium, is disgraceful and clearly shows an amount of spinelessness on this issue" said Mr. Forde.

"Is our own Junior Minister for the Marine, John Browne, content to sit on his hands while this convoy passes through? Will the Government stand up to the threat of a nuclear disaster on our coast or wait for one to happen?"

"This plutonium shipment which is being returned to Sellafield, having been refused entry into Japan, following legal action taken by Greenpeace that forced BNFL to admit falsifying safety documents, is now on the final leg of its 30,000 km return journey and about to enter the Irish Sea.

Using a naval patrol vessel to patrol our waters would send a very powerful message around the world, as well as providing a degree of safety and protection for the flotilla of Irish vessels that are assembling to sail out in protest at the entry of this lethal cargo into the Irish Sea.

The Government must not cut off any avenues in relation to tackling the menace of Sellafield on our doorstep. We must not be afraid of offending the sensibilities of our nearest neighbour - they have never paid any heed to ours.

This complete inaction coupled with the Governments granting of Irish airport facilities and Irish airspace to the American Air Force, in their preparation for war with Iraq prompts serious concerns about this Governments foreign policy intentions.

In addition the ongoing refusal of the British Government to supply requested information to the Barron inquiry into British security force involvement in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, despite repeated requests at the highest level, leaves one wondering at the weight of the Governments efforts and influence on these issues.

All of this comes at a time when the Government is attempting to frighten and bully its own electorate into voting for the Nice Treaty. A treaty that is designed only to further erode any influence that Ireland or the smaller states in the EU will have in the EU decision-making process.

The Government keeps repeating the myth that our partners in the EU will somehow disrespect or penalize us if we use our right to say no to the Nice Treaty. They keep repeating the line that this treaty is about enlargement, it simply isn't. It is about changing the rules of the EU, weakening the voting rights of the smaller countries and the creation of an EU super state, what Jacques Delors has said will: "amount to a world power". Voters should not be frightened into voting for a treaty that only serves to weaken Irelands voice in Europe.

That is the truth of this issue and that is why the Government will fail to sell this flawed treaty. They have no positive selling points for Ireland in this treaty so instead they concentrate huge resources to attack the no side who are attempting to inform the electorate and to highlight the dangers to our democracy inherent in the treaty.

The real truth is that voting No to Nice is a positive vote for Irelands Democracy, Independence and Neutrality and for the future development of the EU as a whole.