March 3, 2008 (LPAC)--In Ireland, the opposition party Sinn Fein is adding to military neutrality, Irish reunification, as a core issue of the pro-referendum campaign. At the national party convention of Sinn Fein, over the March 1-2 weekend, party leader Gerry Adams told members that he believed they were closer to Irish reunification than at any time in their history. "Despite ingrained partitionism within the Irish establishment, there is growing support for Irish unity and there is a growing awareness of the importance of the all-Ireland economy to this nation's future prosperity and growth," he said.

Criticizing Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's stance on the Lisbon Treaty, he said Ireland's influence in the EU would be diluted and the country's neutrality would be threatened by a Yes vote in the referendum. "The Irish government failed to stand up for the national interest in the negotiations on the Lisbon Treaty. Dustin the Turkey would have done a better job," he said.