VOTERS GO to the polls today in the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The outcome will represent a defining moment in Ireland’s relationship with the European Union.
The importance of the result for the country’s future prosperity, as well as its place in the world, has been stressed by both sides in the campaign.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has ruled out a third referendum on Lisbon and a second defeat would spark a political crisis at both national and EU level. Mr Cowen’s future as Taoiseach would be thrown into doubt by a second defeat on an issue of such vital national importance.
“The outcome will determine the future direction of our country and I am urging people to go out and vote and to think clearly before making this vital decision,” Mr Cowen said yesterday.
He said that while he believed support for a Yes vote was strong, nothing could be taken for granted and all those who supported the treaty would have to keep working until the close of polling.
“With a Yes vote, Ireland will retain the confidence that it is a positive and influential member of the union, and the union will be allowed to move forward to tackle urgent problems. With a No vote, confidence in Ireland will inevitably suffer,” said Mr Cowen.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the referendum would give Irish people an enormous opportunity to send a positive signal to our partners in the EU. “A Yes vote will be a massive step, not only towards economic recovery, but also towards Ireland taking a lead role in European affairs,” he said.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said the referendum was one of the most important in recent decades.
“The Irish people will decide not just on their own futures but on the futures of generations to come. We have nothing to fear from the EU and we have everything to gain,” he said.
Mr Gilmore added that a No vote would send out a negative message internationally that would be no incentive to foreign investment and would restrict our capacity to create new jobs.
Sinn Féin vice-president Mary Lou McDonald called for a No vote, saying the electorate should come out and reject the Lisbon Treaty as decisively as they had in 2008.
“This is a bad treaty negotiated by an incompetent government and if it goes through, it will seriously undermine Ireland’s position within the EU. A Yes vote will mean the loss of our automatic right to a commissioner, a massive reduction in our voting strength on the Council of Ministers and the handing away of our right to a referendum. If we hand this power away tomorrow, we won’t get it back,” she said.
Over three million people are entitled to vote in the referendum. Polling stations will open at 7am and will remain open until 10pm tonight. Counting of votes will begin tomorrow at 9am and the official result is expected in the early evening.
Polling cards and a statement of information have been sent to voters, although some TDs have complained that the way they have been distributed together caused confusion.
People will be entitled to vote whether or not they have a polling card but they may be required to produce evidence of identity. Anyone who fails to do so when asked will not be allowed to vote.
A range of documents, including a passport, driving licence, employee or student identity card will be accepted as photo ID.
The ballot paper for the referendum will be white. If voters wish to approve the proposal, they should put an X in the square beside TÁ/YES or if they do not want to approve, they should mark X in the square beside NÍL/NO.