A new group that will campaign against the Lisbon Treaty yesterday claimed that it would replace the European Union with what it described as a "supra-national entity" that would not be democratically accountable to member states.
The group, called EU Reform, was launched during a seminar on the Lisbon Treaty at the European Parliament buildings in Dublin yesterday.
The group's co-ordinator Dick Humphreys said that it was a genuine supporter of the EU but was opposed to the "incomprehensible treaty".
Mr Humphreys, a retired engineer and a former director of a firm in the motor industry, also campaigned against the Nice Treaty.
"It is not a reform treaty. It should be called more-of-the-same treaty. It is giving more and more power to Brussels. As each treaty comes along, power is lost in small snippets," said Mr Humphreys.
He continued: "What is being created will lead to the loss of the European community and the creation of a supra-national entity."
The group also argues that the new voting system would give most power to the biggest countries and allow any three large countries (France, Germany, the UK, and Italy) to block decision-making with the support of one other big country and one friendly small country.
Kathy Sinnott, the Independent MEP for the South constituency, also spoke at the seminar expressing strong support for the group. "I have made a personal commitment to ensuring fair and free referenda in all countries and in Ireland in particular," she said.
Meanwhile Anthony Coughlan, the Trinity lecturer and secretary of the National Platform, has severely criticised Green Party leader John Gormley for what he describes as a flip-flop on Europe.
In an open letter to Mr Gormley, Mr Coughlan urges the Green Ministers to remain silent in the forthcoming debate.
"There is nothing in the obligations of collective Cabinet responsibility that require yourself and Éamon Ryan to advocate support for the Lisbon Treaty which is the EU Constitution revamped and renamed when you opposed that strongly when you were outside Government," writes Mr Coughlan.
