Treaty of Nice Yes campaigners have as much commitment to protecting Ireland's traditional policy of neutrality as people on the other side, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern has said.
"The suggestion that we are all part of a vast international conspiracy to drag Ireland into aggressive wars is simply ludicrous," Mr Ahern told a Fianna Fáil press conference in Dublin yesterday.
Under the referendum wording on offer, Ireland will be barred from entering a common European Union defence unless the people decide to do so in another referendum.
However, No campaigners argue that the wording will not prevent Ireland joining military operations led by the EU's Rapid Reaction Force outside of the EU's territories.
In the wake of Sunday's opinion poll, which showed that significant concern still exists about the issue, the Yes campaign has become concerned that its message about neutrality is not getting through.
Mr Ahern said: "With the barrage of competing slogans on lampposts throughout the country, I can understand that there are many people who are very confused about the implications of their votes for our neutrality.
"It is very clear that a number of those who are campaigning for a No vote have adopted a deliberate tactic of trying to confuse or scare people on this issue. I appeal to people to look beyond the slogans and consider the facts."
The Seville Declaration, agreed with fellow EU states in June, made it clear, he said, that there is nothing in the Nice Treaty that infringes on Ireland's traditional neutrality.
"This is a binding legal interpretation of the treaty and it confirms that there is no one in Europe trying to drag Ireland into an arrangement that would interfere with our neutrality and the primacy of the United Nations," he said.
The Shelbourne Hotel press conference was one of 11 held yesterday by Fianna Fáil as its campaign intensifies in the final days of campaigning.
"We are taking our message into every community because we believe that Saturday's vote is the most momentous in 30 years. The Irish people will be deciding not only on the future direction of Ireland, but of Europe as a whole," he said.
Questioned about the possible turnout, Mr Ahern said he hoped that it would exceed 50 per cent, compared with the 35 per centreached in last year's referendum.
However, he admitted this target would be difficult to meet.
"The Good Friday agreement referendum, which was supported by all sides, managed to get just 57 per cent of people to come out," he said.
The referendum wording on offer to the people this time is substantially different, since the Government has added a constitutional amendment which specifically bars the Oireachtas from joining an EU common defence.
"It is the people and the people alone who can change Ireland's policy on neutrality. This is a protection which was demanded last year by No campaigners, but which they have tactically decided to dismiss this year," said Mr Ahern.
Meanwhile, the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, and four of his predecessors will unite today in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin to urge voters to support ratification of the treaty.
