METRO FREE Friday, October 2, 2009 staying at the heart of Europe is es- sential for economic recovery. They say it will streamline the workings of the enlarged union, transfer more power to national par- liaments and MEPs, and legally un- derpin citizens rights. The one thing both sides agree on is that everyone should get out and vote, as 3million Irish citizens decide the fate of 500million Europeans. 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. BY ROSS McDONAGH Time to make your mind upTHIS is it its D-day. Again. Decision Day has finally ar- rived, almost three months af- ter Taoiseach Brian Cowen announced October 2 as the date for the second Lisbon Treaty referendum. For those past three months, TV, radio, newspapers, leaflets, politi- cians, taxi drivers and, of course, ubiquitouspostershavebeenscream- No campaigners argue the treaty is the exact same one Ireland rejected in 2008 and that the Irish voters de- cision is being ignored. The No camp, made up most vo- cally of Libertass Declan Ganley, Socialist Joe Higgins and the pro- life group Cir, claim variously but not unanimously that passing the treaty will transfer decision-making powers from Ireland to bigger coun- tries in the EU; will conscript young Irish people into an EU army; will raise taxes and will cut the minimum wage to a fifth of its current size. The Yes camp, meanwhile, insist The choice is yours: Which side to back is what most people will have decided by now but you still have to get out there to vote Picture: PA ing at you to vote Yes, and scream- ing at you to vote No. Jobs, the economy, abortion, eu- thanasia, taxes, a European army, minimum wage, voting rights, Pd- raig Pearse, James Connolly and Fr Jack Hackett have all been thrown into the mix as reasons to take sides, and today is the day you make up your mind once and for all. Most of Irelands major political parties are advocating a Yes vote. Despite knowing a rejection of the treaty would throw the Fianna Fil/ Green coalition into chaos, Fine Gael and Labour stand with them on this issue. Sinn Fin are the only Dil party to oppose it. Outside the Dil, the fight has been a little bit more balanced. Decision Day as nation votes on Lisbon II See Page 14 DITA VON TEESE TALKS TO YOUR METRO index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html