PD leader Senator Ciaran Cannon today declared that a resounding Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty was coming from "the reasonable side of Irish public life".
He noted that all the main political parties are campaigning for a Yes vote, and that Sinn Féin was the lone substantial political party arguing against the treaty.
"I would remind people that if we had listened to Sinn Féin over the years, we would not even be in European Union, enjoying the level of economic success that has been vital to Ireland."
"When you think of all the advances made by Ireland over the years, involving delicate negotiations with our European counterparts, all of the political parties who directed those negotiations on Ireland’s behalf, are calling for a Yes vote," Mr Cannon said.
"Who on the No side ever negotiated for Ireland at a European level? Who on the No side has demonstrated that they understand how to maximise Ireland’s position on the European stage?" he added.
Many "highly respected, significant groups" support a Yes vote, Mr Cannon said.
"By comparison, I contend the groups calling for a No vote, Libertas, Sinn Féin, Coir, PANA, People Before Profit, Republican Sinn Féin, the People’s Movement and others cannot speak with the same authority or experience about Ireland’s interests on the international stage."