Splits emerging on Nice in Labour (sic) Party

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday October 15, 2002 18:54 by wormholebrothers

from IT

Councillor to defy Labour on Nice vote
By Lorna Siggins, in Galway

A Galway Labour councillor is one of several party members in the west
who have decided to advocate a No vote in the Nice Treaty referendum.
Alderman Catherine Connolly, a member of Galway Corporation, has split
with her party colleague, former Arts Minister Michael D. Higgins, over
the Galway West branch approach to the vote.

Mr Higgins is seeking a Yes vote in line with official Labour policy.

Alderman Connolly said last night that she had been in contact with
several other Labour councillors, including Alderman Declan Bree (Sligo),
Cllr Brian Scanlon (Sligo) and Cllr Nicky Kelly (Wicklow), all of whom had
said that they were going to vote No.

Alderman Connolly, who is regarded as the "heir apparent" to Mr Higgins in
Galway West, said that it was extremely important to voice the concerns of
the "substantial number" of Labour Party members who had "serious concerns
about the Nice Treaty". She said that many constituencies throughout the
State were divided on the issue.