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Irish hold crunch EU treaty vote Irish hold crunch EU treaty vote
(22 minutes later)
Irish voters are heading to the polls in 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 in 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-makingMore decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimityRatified 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 In pictures: Irish treaty voteLISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingMore decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimityRatified 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 In pictures: Irish treaty vote
Around three million Irish citizens are eligible to vote on Friday. There will be no exit polling during the day, but some reports are already suggesting turnout across the country is poor.Around three million Irish citizens are eligible to vote on Friday. There will be no exit polling during the day, but some reports are already suggesting turnout across the country is poor.
Turnout averaged some 21% in Dublin by mid-afternoon, with low volumes being reported outside the capital, said the Press Association news agency.Turnout averaged some 21% in Dublin by mid-afternoon, with low volumes being reported outside the capital, said the Press Association news agency.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen urged voters to go to the polls: " It is an important day for the country and an important referendum... I'd ask everybody, we all have rights as citizens, and one of the rights that should be cherished is our right to vote."Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen urged voters to go to the polls: " It is an important day for the country and an important referendum... I'd ask everybody, we all have rights as citizens, and one of the rights that should be cherished is our right to vote."
Counting will begin on Saturday, with the referendum result not expected until early Saturday afternoon.Counting will begin on Saturday, with the referendum result not expected until early Saturday afternoon.
EuroscepticsEurosceptics
At the Redeemer Boys' School in Dundalk, County Louth, enthusiasm amongst voters appears to be muted, with barely 25% of the electorate voting by late afternoon, the BBC's Chris Mason reports.At the Redeemer Boys' School in Dundalk, County Louth, enthusiasm amongst voters appears to be muted, with barely 25% of the electorate voting by late afternoon, the BBC's Chris Mason reports.
In Louth, 250 jobs have been lost recently at the Coca-Cola factory, with further redundancies at Xerox - in a region that voted strongly No last time.In Louth, 250 jobs have been lost recently at the Coca-Cola factory, with further redundancies at Xerox - in a region that voted strongly No last time.
But being close to the UK border, there are strong Republican sympathies here. Some argue that having fought for Irish independence it would be reckless to hand more power to Brussels, our correspondent adds.But being close to the UK border, there are strong Republican sympathies here. Some argue that having fought for Irish independence it would be reckless to hand more power to Brussels, our correspondent adds.
Apart from Ireland, the only other countries yet to ratify Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 party believes rejecting the treaty would secure a more democratic EU.All of Ireland's major parties campaigned for a Yes vote except the nationalist Sinn Fein. The party believes rejecting the treaty would secure a more democratic EU.
Its leader Gerry Adams said: "Citizens want a fairer Ireland, a fairer Europe, a democratic Ireland, a democratic Europe.Its leader Gerry Adams said: "Citizens want a fairer Ireland, a fairer Europe, a democratic Ireland, a democratic Europe.
"If we want to have decency and accountability and if we want a social Europe then come out ... and vote No.""If we want to have decency and accountability and if we want a social Europe then come out ... and vote No."
The Yes camp also had some lavish donations from big business.The Yes camp also had some lavish donations from big business.
Dr Paul Duffy: A No vote would 'create a lot of uncertainty'Dr Paul Duffy: A No vote would 'create a lot of uncertainty'
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.
Ireland's Social and Family Affairs Minister, Mary Hanafin, told the BBC that 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.Ireland's Social and Family Affairs Minister, Mary Hanafin, told the BBC that 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."
Such sentiments seem to be backed up by comments from 35-year-old Irish voter Eithne Brennan, who said No in 2008 but who now says: " In good times, we can fancy ourselves as an independent country.Such sentiments seem to be backed up by comments from 35-year-old Irish voter Eithne Brennan, who said No in 2008 but who now says: " In good times, we can fancy ourselves as an independent country.
"We do not have the luxury this time. The painful truth is that we would be bankrupt without Brussels," Mr Brennan added."We do not have the luxury this time. The painful truth is that we would be bankrupt without Brussels," Mr Brennan added.
Institutional changesInstitutional changes
The chances of the treaty being rejected a second time appear pretty slim, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Dublin.The chances of the treaty being rejected a second time appear pretty slim, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Dublin.
Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald on the Lisbon TreatySinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald on the Lisbon Treaty
Ireland's economic situation is so grim, he adds, that many voters are unwilling to risk further turmoil with another No vote, and while many would dearly love to punish the hugely unpopular administration, most will hold off until the next election.Ireland's economic situation is so grim, he adds, that many voters are unwilling to risk further turmoil with another No vote, and while many would dearly love to punish the hugely unpopular administration, most will hold off until the next election.
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.
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.