FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has said that he “can’t contemplate” a No vote in the forthcoming Lisbon referendum.
A positive outcome on October 2nd will depend on swing voters. he added.
“Evidence from the polls shows clearly that it’s important for the political process to be out there talking to people who are in the ‘Don’t Know’ camp,” he said in Brussels yesterday.
The latest poll results showed a fall in support for the treaty over the summer, while numbers grew in the No and undecided camps.
Speaking from the offices of Fine Gael’s political umbrella organisation, the European People’s Party (EPP), Mr Kenny said he has seen evidence of a turnaround in support for the treaty, with former No voters indicating that they would vote Yes this time.
“The clarifications that have been given are very clear,” he said. “The last Lisbon question was like looking through a window with condensation on the inside . . . People fell for some of the rumours and untruths and lack of clarity that was there about tax or abortion or conscription. Those matters have now been cleared beyond yay or nay.”
However, he added that opposition to Nama, the growing unemployment and public sector pension levies could have an impact on the referendum rerun.
Mr Kenny denied that Taoiseach Brian Cowen should have waited until after October 2nd to publish legislation on Nama, which he said would have engendered more fear. “If you’re angry with the Government . . . we’ll say put that anger aside until such time as you can have your own referendum on the Government. Let it not be on Lisbon.”
He said that there would be no rows between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil during this referendum campaign.