This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8285849.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Irish hold crunch EU treaty vote Irish hold crunch EU treaty vote
(10 minutes later)
Irish voters are heading to the polls for a second referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty - a vote that may decide the future of long-delayed EU changes.Irish voters are heading to the polls for a second referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty - a vote that may decide the future of long-delayed EU changes.
They previously rejected the treaty in a June 2008 referendum, by a margin of almost 7%. This time opinion polls suggest the Yes camp will win.They previously rejected the treaty in a June 2008 referendum, by a margin of almost 7%. This time opinion polls suggest the Yes camp will win.
The Republic of Ireland is the only one of the EU's 27 member states to put the treaty to a referendum.The Republic of Ireland is the only one of the EU's 27 member states to put the treaty to a referendum.
Ireland's economy has been hit hard by recession since the last vote was held.Ireland's economy has been hit hard by recession since the last vote was held.
The treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the enlarged bloc, cannot take effect unless all the member states ratify it.The treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the enlarged bloc, cannot take effect unless all the member states ratify it.
LISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingRatified by all member states except Czech Republic, Ireland and PolandOnly Ireland is holding referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: Ireland's new Lisbon voteLISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingRatified by all member states except Czech Republic, Ireland and PolandOnly Ireland is holding referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: Ireland's new Lisbon vote
The referendum result is not expected until early Saturday afternoon.The referendum result is not expected until early Saturday afternoon.
Apart from Ireland, the only other countries yet to ratify it are the Czech Republic and Poland. Despite opposition calls for a referendum in the UK, the treaty has been ratified there by parliament.Apart from Ireland, the only other countries yet to ratify it are the Czech Republic and Poland. Despite opposition calls for a referendum in the UK, the treaty has been ratified there by parliament.
All of Ireland's major parties campaigned for a Yes vote except the nationalist Sinn Fein. The Yes camp also had some lavish donations from big business.All of Ireland's major parties campaigned for a Yes vote except the nationalist Sinn Fein. The Yes camp also had some lavish donations from big business.
The repeat referendum is about the same treaty text, but since last year EU leaders have given specific commitments on issues which made some Irish voters nervous last time.The repeat referendum is about the same treaty text, but since last year EU leaders have given specific commitments on issues which made some Irish voters nervous last time.
The country will not be forced to legalise abortion, to lose control over taxation, and will not have its neutrality threatened.The country will not be forced to legalise abortion, to lose control over taxation, and will not have its neutrality threatened.
Dr Paul Duffy: A No vote would 'create a lot of uncertainty'Dr Paul Duffy: A No vote would 'create a lot of uncertainty'
Mary Hanafin, Ireland's social and family affairs minister, told the BBC opponents of the treaty had "very good reasons" for voting No in 2008. But she said those concerns had now been addressed, and she expected a different outcome this time around.Mary Hanafin, Ireland's social and family affairs minister, told the BBC opponents of the treaty had "very good reasons" for voting No in 2008. But she said those concerns had now been addressed, and she expected a different outcome this time around.
"They were concerned about issues that were raised about neutrality, about taxation, about the right to life, about losing our commissioner."They were concerned about issues that were raised about neutrality, about taxation, about the right to life, about losing our commissioner.
"Our colleagues in Europe have given us legal guarantees on all of those issues, and because they have been addressed and because people are looking to the future, the economy of this country and our place in Europe. We believe it'll be a Yes vote.""Our colleagues in Europe have given us legal guarantees on all of those issues, and because they have been addressed and because people are looking to the future, the economy of this country and our place in Europe. We believe it'll be a Yes vote."
Institutional changesInstitutional changes
However, opponents continue to maintain that Lisbon undermines national sovereignty and concentrates too much power in Brussels.However, opponents continue to maintain that Lisbon undermines national sovereignty and concentrates too much power in Brussels.
Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald on the Lisbon TreatySinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald on the Lisbon Treaty
Ratifying the treaty would bring in some major changes within the EU.Ratifying the treaty would bring in some major changes within the EU.
It would expand the policy areas subject to qualified majority voting (QMV), rather than unanimity. It would also establish a new post of president of the European Council - the grouping of EU states' leaders - and a high representative for foreign affairs.It would expand the policy areas subject to qualified majority voting (QMV), rather than unanimity. It would also establish a new post of president of the European Council - the grouping of EU states' leaders - and a high representative for foreign affairs.
Treaty supporters say that Lisbon would greatly increase the European Parliament's powers of "co-decision" with the European Council.Treaty supporters say that Lisbon would greatly increase the European Parliament's powers of "co-decision" with the European Council.
Ireland would retain its commissioner under Lisbon, as the treaty would keep the European Commission team at 27. Without Lisbon, the Commission team would have to be reduced in size.Ireland would retain its commissioner under Lisbon, as the treaty would keep the European Commission team at 27. Without Lisbon, the Commission team would have to be reduced in size.