Taoiseach happy with support for treaty

REACTION: THE GOVERNMENT yesterday welcomed the findings of the latest Irish Times opinion poll, which shows support for the…

REACTION:THE GOVERNMENT yesterday welcomed the findings of the latest Irish Times opinion poll, which shows support for the Lisbon Treaty is holding steady.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he was “happy” with the trend in support of the treaty, but “we can’t presume on the outcome”.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the poll, which shows that 48 per cent are likely to vote Yes compared to 33 per cent who will vote No, confirms that people were responding positively to the arguments in favour of a Yes vote.

“However, we will take nothing for granted, and every vote will count next Friday,” said Mr Martin, who is his party’s campaign director.

READ MORE

“On the doorsteps, it is clear that people increasingly understand the issues at stake in this referendum and that they are eager to hear a serious debate from all groups involved.

“While the response is very positive, we will not be complacent and we intend to redouble our campaign efforts over the next seven days,” he added.

Fine Gael campaign director Billy Timmins also said that the poll indicated a majority of Irish people were now convinced about the benefits of passing the treaty.

However, he warned that it is by no means a foregone conclusion.

“It is critical that all advocates of a Yes vote continue to engage with the electorate right up to polling day, and emphasise what Ireland stands to gain by remaining relevant in Europe through ratification of the treaty,” he said.

It was, he added, “encouraging that the Yes vote has stabilised and that the electorate are becoming increasingly engaged on the Lisbon Treaty debate”.

However, Labour’s Joe Costello struck a note of caution, pointing to the greater increase in support for the No side.

“It is worrying that as the undecided voters begin to make up their minds towards the end of the campaign, a two to one majority are opting for the No side. There is exactly one week to go to the day of the referendum. We must redouble our efforts to regain the initiative and convert the undecided voters into Yes voters,” said Mr Costello.

Green Party European affairs spokeswoman Deirdre de Búrca said the poll findings were encouraging, facing into the final week of campaigning.

“But the large number of people undecided reminds us that we must continue to rebut No campaigners’ falsehoods, especially regarding workers’ rights and specifically their lie about the minimum wage being dramatically cut as a result of Lisbon,” she said.

Brian Hickey of Cóir, one of the groups campaigning against the treaty, also pointed out that don’t knows were transferring to the No side at a rate of two to one.

“This reflects what we’re seeing on the doors,” said Mr Hickey. “The canvass is where we explain the treaty best to voters, and we’re seeing the results of that now.

“We’re asking everyone to double their efforts for this last week.”

He contended that supporters of the treaty had “overplayed the fear card”.

“All the fear-mongering has worn thin, and people are asking real questions at the doors – about jobs, wages, the power of the EU court and our future in Europe,” Mr Hickey claimed.