D Wednesday, September 30, 2009 METRO 11 A: Partly yes, but the other problem is that voters use referendums to pro- test about incumbent governments. Large chunks of Irelands electorate could march to the polls next week thinking only of domestic issues. Q: So why risk a referendum on this Treaty at all? A: Thats what eurocrats are mutter- ing, but the Government had no choice under our constitution. Q: So will Ireland be kicked out of the EU if its another No? A: Not at all. The Lisbon Treaty, like its doomed forebear, the Consti- tution, will be dead, but Ireland will survive. However, the countrys im- age as the wealthy and contented ben- eficiary of EU largesse for the past 35 years will be replaced by an image of Ireland as yet another ungrateful, eu- rosceptic nation. Q: And if its a Yes? A: Much dancing in the streets in Brussels, but tempered by the fact that the Czechs and the Poles still have to put the final stamp of approval on the Treaty before it can come into force, as planned, at the start of next year. Q: But wont the EU grind to a halt without this Treaty? A: No. It is true that the Treaty is designed to streamline decision-mak- ing and avoid gridlock in such a large club of 27 nations. But the fact is that, during all the shenanigans over the Treaty, the EU has actually been get- ting on with the job it does perfectly well. Q: So, as Shakespeare would put it, its been much ado about nothing? A: Actually its been much ado about everything for more than four years, ever since the French and Dutch threw out the original Consti- tution as a federalist plot. I think the Shakespearean reference youre real- ly grasping for is that eurocrats and the Irish government are crossing their fingers and hoping that alls well that ends well. Why its decision time again on the Treaty...By ELLEN OREILLyAS wE all know by now, we are about to vote once again on the EUs Lisbon Treaty, something the country reject- ed last year. But, not for the first time, the European Union wouldnt take No for an answer. Q: So why are we being asked to vote again on the same thing? A: we are not. The line from Brus- sels is that we are being asked to vote on a Lisbon Treaty different from the one rejected last time. Q: Opponents of the Treaty say it hasnt been changed. Are they lying? A: No. It hasnt been changed, but a bit has been added to say that all the things we were apparently worried about lost sovereignty, lost neutral- ity, and lost control over policies such as abortion and other family issues arent affected by the Treaty provi- sions as they stand. Q: So whats the big deal? A: The big deal is that the No cam- paign still insists the Treaty provi- sions are a federalist plot, undermin- ing Irelands sovereignty and giving more power to Brussels. The Yes cor- ner insists Ireland will continue to do well out of the EU and that the Treaty is only designed to streamline deci- sion-making on European policies. Q: Somebody must be right and somebody must be wrong which is it? A: This is the EU there is no right or wrong, just perceptions. Q: Perceptions? A: Yes. One perception last time was that the Lisbon Treaty would give Brussels powers to take away your children under social policy. This time, one perception is that the hourly working wage in Ireland will plum- met. Neither is the case, but a clever campaigner for or against the Treaty can argue wondrously about the meaning of the Treatys terms. Q: So victory will go to the best PR campaign? Not over yet: Taoiseach Brian Cowen at a book launch in Dublin last night. He and the other Lisbon campaigners have just two full days to convince the electorate which way to vote on Friday Picture: Getty Insults traded as Lisbon vote nearsLISBON Treaty supporters and opponents clashed yesterday, trading insults and accusing one another of spreading lies to win votes in the looming referendum. With just days to go until the all-important poll, both the Yes and No sides scrapped in last-ditch bids to win over voters. While the Taoiseach branded Fridays ballot a defining moment for Ireland, anti- Treaty campaigners criticised the Government for claiming the charter would help boost the economy. Foreign Affairs Minister Michel Martin led the charge on controversial posters and campaign slogans, suggesting Irelands minimum wage the second highest in Europe at 8.65 could be cut to 1.84 if the treaty is passed. That was the biggest lie out there, Mr Martin said. Anti-treaty campaigner and Libertas chief Declan Ganley claimed there was no basis to the Yes sides argument about Lisbon creating jobs. It is not true. The whole campaign has been based on the economy and it is a false claim, the millionaire businessman said. The pair clashed with opponents during a live radio debate in the window of Arnotts department store on Henry Street. Meanwhile, Ryanair boss Michael OLeary warned a No vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum would destroy Irelands economy. The airline boss called on the electorate to separate their anger at the Irish Government on Friday but to vote them out when an early general election is likely to be called next year. Mr OLeary said it was time Irish people woke up to the fact the country was bankrupt and needed Europe. He called the present government feckless before going on to criticise the No campaign. We dont want to be misled by the lobby of losers on the No side, none of whom ever created a job in this country, he said. Taoiseach Brian Cowen outlines the importance of the October 2 vote: I dont believe this is about the future of this Government, or about the future of personalities. This is about the future of the country. This is not politics as usual. Declan Ganley after he dramatically launched a second campaign against the Treaty: The only job it [a Yes vote] will save is Brian Cowens job. Europe Minister Dick Roche shows theres no love lost between himself and UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage during a debate in Dublin: I dont resent your intervention because of where you come from. But I do resent your intervention because of what you represent, before branding Mr Farages views little Englander. Ryanair chief Michael OLeary, who backed a yes vote, hits out at Libertas leader Declan Ganley during a television debate for re- entering the campaign: You wouldnt accept the vote of the Irish people in the European elections. You couldnt get elected. [Eurovision winner] Dana got elected in your constituency, you wanted to be Dana, you said you could take no for an answer and you wouldnt campaign again and yet here you are like another failed politician. Mr Roche again, laughing off criticisms for asking Irish voters back to the ballot box: I had to ask my wife to marry me several times before she finally succumbed. And Im so glad after all these years that she did. Oscar nominated director Jim Sheridan gets involved because he doesnt want it left to politicians: Thats what weve been doing for the last ten years to disastrous results and we leave it to the bankers and what do they do? Worse. I suppose all the bankers all around the world have been caught with their trousers down but in Ireland theyve been caught with their whole kit off. EUmatters EAt it: A Healthy Eating campaign for school children, with the slogan Eat it, Drink it, Move it has been launched by Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture. Three roadshows will tour seven EU countries, with children taking part in activities and games. When we look around and see the number of overweight children, it is clear that we must act now, Ms Fischer Boel said. CAnCEr ACt: European Commission President Jos Manuel Barroso and Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, along with Princess Mathilde of Belgium yesterday launched the European Partnership Action Against Cancer. It aims to highlight the impact of cancer on people and their families, the importance of talking about cancer, and breaking down the barriers of stigma and secrecy which surround some cancers. Lisbon Treaty What theyve been saying index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html