The No to Nice Campaign has been accused of making "alarmist" statements on immigration that could arouse hostile attitudes to migrant workers here.
The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) aid it was concerned that statements by the campaign could stir up negative attitudes to migrant workers who are vital to our economy.
The committee said the campaign's use of "emotive statements" predicting a "flood" of workers coming to Ireland from Eastern Europe after the Nice referendum was "disturbing" and could arouse "xenophobic and hostile attitudes" towards immigrants.
However, its criticism was rejected last night by the campaign's spokesman, Mr Justin Barrett. He said it was "unfortunate" the NCCRI was accepting the Government's "spin" on the matter.
The NCCRI has called on the No to Nice Campaign to endorse the sentiment of its political protocol on the conduct of elections. This calls on politicians to respect the dignity and rights of minority groups when conducting their debates.
The NCCRI emphasised that it does not have a position for or against the Nice Treaty; however, it was concerned about the way the campaign was being conducted.
"The picture painted that migrant workers, particularly from Eastern Europe, are simply a ploy to undercut wages, is simplistic and naive. It is potentially damaging for relations in the workplace and it ignores the vital contribution that such workers already make to our economy," said Mr Philip Watt, director of the NCCRI.
He pointed to a recent Government report which warned that without inward migration "Ireland's future economic growth will be jeopardised".
Mr Barrett said he was prepared to discuss the protocol with the NCCRI. "If it's a genuine anti-racist protocol, we'd have no difficulty signing it."
