One Last Chance!

As the countdown to Ireland's referendum on the European Constitution... the Reform Treaty... the Lisbon Treaty enters its final day before the vote on Thursday, the Irish Times reported that those expressing support for a 'No' vote exceeded those in favor.

Though this is a very positive development, a large proportion of the population still seems uncertain which way to vote, with 28% saying that they were 'undecided.'

This is not surprising given that the majority of voters, and most politicians, do not seem to understand exactly what the treaty does.

Indeed, even Taoiseach Brian Cowen has revealed that he has not actually read the new treaty document yet, despite his urging of the Irish voter to say "Yes" to it, and his marshalling of his Cabinet colleagues to go out and advocate the same.

How a representative of the people, duly elected into government to look after the nation's interests can blindly follow the E.U. mandarin's dictates and advocate the largest transfer of Irish national power since Strongbow's invasion in 1170 is beyond us.

The sight of the Taoiseach insisting that the treaty was vital for Ireland's future, given his admission that he'd not read it, is a worrying sign.

His claim that a 'Yes' vote would keep Ireland at the heart of Europe and guarantee future business investment, jars with the fact that Britain has done well in inward investment despite being outside the European Monetary Union.

It also feels, as it seems to every time European voters are asked to express their opinions on further European integration, a lot like voter intimidation.

Instead of explaining what the treaty accomplishes and exactly why the Irish voters should accept, or even welcome it, the politicians and their friends in the Euro-bureaucracy can only resort to scaremongering.

Until the politicians in Ireland start taking their responsibilities to those who elected them seriously, and finally have a grown up debate on the future of the European Union, it will fall to the electorate to force a pause for reflection.