The co-ordinator of Fianna Fail's Nice Treaty campaign, Mr PJ Mara has resigned following revelations that he failed to fully co-operate with the Flood tribunal. He is being replaced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
In a statement released just before 1 p.m., Mr Mara said he was "determined to ensure that nothing relating to me could be used in an attempt to damage the chances of successful outcome to the campaign.
"As such I informed the Taoiseach last night that I am stepping aside as National Director of the Referendum Campaign."
He described the referendum as "fundamental to the future of both Ireland and Europe" and expressed his hope that "a strong, positive campaign" would ensure the treaty was ratified.
Calls for Mr Mara's resignation grew througout the morning with Fine Gael's director of elections for the Nice Treaty referendum, Mr John Bruton describing his continuance in the post as "a distraction".
This afternoon Mr Cowen assumed Mr Mara's role as campaign director. Speaking on radio this morning he said it was "important that that referendum campaign be concentrated on what is in the Nice Treaty and what the issues are about and not be diverted away from that".
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the solicitors representing Mr Ray Burke said no statement would be issued on behalf of the disgraced former foreign minister in response to the findings of the tribunal.
