FINE GAEL CHAIRMAN Charlie Flanagan has called for Sinn Féin to remove a set of Fiscal Compact referendum posters which he says are “extremely deceptive”.
The Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly said that the posters which show a picture designed to look like the Irish football team with the words ‘Euro 2012 Support Ireland’ and ‘Vote No’ are “grossly misrepresenting the facts”.
The posters were launched earlier this week by the party’s European Affairs spokesperson Kathryn Reilly along with the support of football pundit and Monaghan United boss Roddy Collins.
“I was alarmed when I spotted these entirely misleading posters over the last day or so,” Flanagan said in a statement today.
“They are clearly trying to link support for our national football team, and a rejection of the Treaty. This is a very low tactic.
“I don’t know how Sinn Féin can claim that supporting Ireland in the upcoming European Champions (sic) has anything to do with the Treaty. Furthermore, it is deeply offensive that they would imply a rejection of the Treaty can be linked to our national football team.”
Flanagan pointed out that “a host of stars from across the world of sport” including former Irish international Niall Quinn had come out in support of a Yes vote in next week’s referendum and called on Sinn Féin to remove the posters immediately.
A spokesperson for Sinn Féin said this afternoon that the party would not be removing the posters.
“Our stance has always been that if you support Ireland you should vote No to this treaty,” a spokesperson told TheJournal.ie “By voting No you are supporting Ireland.”
The Football Association of Ireland did not return a request for comment at the time of publication.
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