Tuam-based lobby group Libertas has raised the hackles of Junior Minister Dick Roche with a new billboard campaign attacking pro-Lisbon politicians in their own constituencies.

The campaign will cost €60,000 and is just one strand of the group’s strategy encouraging a ‘no’ vote. However, the group is refusing to reveal donors’ names to the public, saying that it is abiding by the Standards in Public Office rules.

According to Naoise Nunn of Libertas, Libertas has registered as an interested party with the Standards in Public Office Commission. This means it is subject to the same restrictions and obligations as a political party in its fundraising activities.

“All our donors are limited to €6,348 per annum and only an Irish citizen, company or resident can donate. We can’t take donations from any citizen, company or resident outside Ireland.

“If you look at Fianna Fáil’s record for donors from the last election, it says they had none. That’s because you don’t have to reveal them if they’re less than €5,000,” said Mr Nunn, adding that Libertas would only reveal its donors if other interest groups revealed theirs.

The group’s founder, businessman Declan Ganley, is limited to donating €6,348 per annum. Libertas has at least three full-time employees.

Galway’s politicians will be relieved to find out they do not feature on the billboards.

The group is planning to appeal to rural voters with the slogan ‘Don’t vote for Mandelson’s Europe’. Peter Mandelson, the EU’s Commissioner for Trade, has been locked in a fierce battle with farming groups over what Naoise Nunn of Libertas calls his “selling out of Irish agriculture”.

“We have been getting a lot of support - a lot of phone calls and emails as well as donations online and by post.

“Although there are various civic groups calling for a ‘yes’ vote as well as all the political parties in the Dáil except Sinn Féin, we are finding that the ordinary person is minded to vote no,” said Mr Nunn, adding, “There is no cost to a ‘no’ vote.”

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