Poll an opportunity for Ireland 'to lead Europe'

FINE GAEL/LABOUR:THE LISBON Treaty referendum vote on Friday is "an opportunity for Ireland to lead Europe", Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said yesterday. Canvassing voters on Dún Laoghaire's East Pier, Mr Kenny said a Yes vote would send "a big message about our country, actually an opportunity for Ireland to lead Europe, because we know the potential and the possibilities that exist arising from a very strong Yes vote for Lisbon".

Mr Kenny said he was “very, very confident” but “not complacent” that the referendum would be passed. The referendum would eventually be decided by voters who are in the “don’t know” category, he said.

“I have been in politics far too long to know that if you don’t keep the pressure up right to the very end, strange things can happen. But for now I am very, very confident that the poll will be passed.”

Voters were much clearer in their minds this time about voting for Lisbon, he said. He added that his experience in all constituencies was that “people were not afraid to say ‘I am voting Yes for very good reasons’.”

Launching a poster for the final phase of the Labour Party’s campaign, leader Eamon Gilmore said “nobody should be under any doubt about the importance of the poll next Friday”.

“This is far too important an issue for Ireland and for our future. This is one of the most important referenda we have held in recent decades. The outcome will not just determine our relationship with the rest of Europe. It will also have a major impact on our capacity to recover from the economic crisis and to get people back to work.

“If we are to recover from the recession and get people back to work, action is required at both national and economic level. We have to work with the EU or we will trail behind other countries when recovery comes.

“A No vote would send out a negative message internationally, suggesting that we are at best half-hearted about the EU. This would be no incentive to foreign investment and would restrict our capacity to create new jobs.

“A clear Yes vote on the other hand would send out a positive and confident message, that Ireland is open for business, that we welcome foreign investment and the jobs it brings and that we want to remain a fully committed member of the EU,” he said.

“Everyone has a duty to make their voices heard and to use their votes. A failure by those who support the treaty to turn out will run the risk of a second defeat and a potentially very damaging situation for the country,” Mr Gilmore added.