Ireland Begins Voting On 2nd Lisbon Treaty Referendum

inspector_monkfish

07:00 02Oct09 Ireland Begins Voting On 2nd Lisbon Treaty Referendum


DUBLIN--Irish voters go to the polls Friday for the second referendum on the treaty forged in Lisbon to replace the failed E.U. constitution, as Prime Minister Brian Cowen urged voters not to use the referendum to make a protest vote against the government.

"This referendum is above party politics, it is about the future of our country for our generation and for generations to come," Cowen said. He has ruled out a third referendum if the treat is rejected again.

Unique among the E.U.'s 27 member nations, Ireland is holding a public referendum on the treaty. It was rejected in June 2008 by 53.4% to 46.6%. The most recent polls show that between 48% and 55% of Irish voters favor approval of the treaty, but there are enough undecideds that the final result could be close.

The proposed treaty, itself a more moderate version of the E.U. constitution French and Dutch voters rejected three years ago, aims to create a more federal Europe and will eventually simplify the bloc's internal voting system.

Since rejecting the treaty, a series of E.U. protocols clarify Ireland's neutrality and maintaining its anti-abortion laws, while safeguarding independence on taxation and the right to keep its own European commissioner, amount to a better deal for Ireland.

"I worked hard to secure legal guarantees following the concerns of the Irish people," Cowen added. "The choice before us today is a simple one - do we want to move forward with Europe or to try a new and more uncertain route."
Polling stations are open from 0600 GMT to 2100 GMT.

halight

Im thinking that thay will vote yes this time.

Times are very hard there at the moment.

Really2

I say no. They could really do with being out of Europe and having their own currency at the moment.

If the ECB move rates up it will really screw them further.

halight

Really2 wrote: »

I say no. They could really do with being out of Europe and having their own currency at the moment.

If the ECB move rates up it will really screw them further.

Yes i agree with what you say about haveing there own currency and being able to set there own rates aswell as doing a bit of printing like everyone else:rolleyes:

But i feel that things are so bad over there that thay are looking to the EU to save them i.e grants and thing for local redevelopment and to help bost there eccomeny.

But what thay relly need at this time is to be incontrol of there own money like us.

Really2

halight wrote: »

Yes i agree with what you say about haveing there own currency and being able to set there own rates aswell as doing a bit of printing like everyone else:rolleyes:

But i feel that things are so bad over there that thay are looking to the EU to save them i.e grants and thing for local redevelopment and to help bost there eccomeny.

But what thay relly need at this time is to be incontrol of there own money like us.

Depends on how the politicians have dressed it up I suppose. Will have to wait and see.

Jonbvn

halight wrote: »

Yes i agree with what you say about haveing there own currency and being able to set there own rates aswell as doing a bit of printing like everyone else:rolleyes:

But i feel that things are so bad over there that thay are looking to the EU to save them i.e grants and thing for local redevelopment and to help bost there eccomeny.

But what thay relly need at this time is to be incontrol of there own money like us.

Sorry to be a grammar nazi but please.... "their":rolleyes:

Anyway, I hope they vote a resounding NO to stop that lizard Blair from even considering the EU presidency.

halight

Jonbvn wrote: »

Sorry to be a grammar nazi but please.... "their":rolleyes:

Anyway, I hope they vote a resounding NO to stop that lizard Blair from even considering the EU presidency.

Im praying that its a no vote too.

dont worry about being a grammar nazi or a spelling nazi im use to being picked up on it.

Really2

halight wrote: »

I im use to being picked up on it.

We can set up a club

lostinrates

Really2 wrote: »

We can set up a club

I'd have to join too.

I nver mind being told off about it, because they are quite right after all. The abusive dress downs are less appealing, I admit.

JasonLVC

Really2 wrote: »

Depends on how the politicians have dressed it up I suppose. Will have to wait and see.

I recall that Ireland has recevied a dis-proportionate amount of EU 'aid' per head since the No vote last time around - basically, they've flooded Ireland with cash for new developments, industry, etc AND the politicians have made it clear that they have ring-fenced the EU from increasing the favourable Irish tax corporation rates.

One suspects they just may vote yes and then realise that the prior promises (and current cash flowing in) will suddenly dry up/disappear - but it'll be too late by then.

The vote is a front for the reality of the situation, you are either in the club and comply or life will become increasingly difficult for you in terms of rules, legislation, etc.

whathavewedone

I'm praying that they vote No but I understand from Irish relatives that they are being scaremongered into voting Yes. All the media is pro Lisbon, the No voices are barely heard. And yes, they have been flooded with cash which I guess will dry up as of tomorrow.