Europe On 'Knife Edge' As Ireland Goes To The Polls

The vote on the Lisbon Treaty is officially underway as Irish voters head to polling stations around the country to cast their votes in the crucial referendum.

Recent polls have showed support for the hotly debated document wane and surge, with reports last week showing the 'No' campaign ahead, and a poll this week showing the 'Yes' vote just in the lead. However, the present position on voting day is being reported as resting on a 'knife edge'.

The Treaty has already been approved by 17 member states, and is due to come into force by January 1, 2009.

Much confusion and mixed messages have been spread about the complex 287-page charter and as many as one third of the electorate was still undecided up to last week.

Several leading politicians, including the Taoiseach, admitted to not having read the document, while the European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy went further saying "no sane person" should read it, but that people should vote for it regardless.

The treaty needs to be ratified by every member state in order to be enforced, and most states have agreed the document in their respective political institutions. Ireland however is one of the few countries that have called a referendum on the matter due to the changes it will enact on its constitution, putting the future of Europe into the hands of the Irish public.

A 'Yes' vote has been called for by the vast majority of the Daíl, with 162 out of 167 TD’s in support of it, as well as many high profile European representatives such as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The document, which was drawn up under Ireland's European presidency in 2006 is designed to empower the EU by reforming many of the institutions and procedures currently in use, such as increasing the Union's ability to sign other treaties, introduce a European Council President, and officially naming the Euro as the currency of the continent.

However, those voting 'No' believe, despite the improvements, the Treaty will be bad news for Ireland, reducing it's international powers, putting at risk the competitive corporation tax level, and negatively affecting workers rights.

However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen warned that future generations would not thank Irish voters if they rejected the Treaty.

He said: "This Treaty will decide whether or not our country stays true to its positive approach to the European Union or takes a new and uncertain route."

Results from 43 constituencies will be sent to the national count centre in Dublin Castle with the final verdict expected by 6.00pm on Friday.

(DW)