D-day for voters on Lisbon treaty

Date Published: 12-Jun-2008

SURELY weary of the battle at this stage, this morning marks the culmination of the Lisbon campaign for both sides of the debate as the country finally goes to the polls to make known its view
on the Lisbon Treaty.

Both the ‘Yes’ and the ‘No’ camps stretched themselves right to the wire in recent days – all hoping to reach out and capture that remaining one third of the population classified as ‘the undecideds’.

Today, those who made up their minds weeks ago and those who are still toying with their valuable vote will help to end the strange kind of pantomime that has dominated political scene for the past few weeks.

Polling stations across Galway opened at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 10 p.m. tonight – and with weather forecasters predicting a generally dry, fresh day, only apathy, disinterest or
confusion can be blamed if the voters choose to stay away.

Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the ‘Yes’ side will at least be able to say they gave it their all in their attempts to convince Galway to join them in the continuing European journey.

Last weekend, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen paid a whirlwind visit to the city and to a number of the county’s major towns – he shook hands, he was patient enough to try and explain one more
time why Lisbon was a good deal for Ireland and he even managed a smile when heckled by some determined ‘No’ voters.

In a miracle of sorts, Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy- Eames this week even managed to…