Six students outline their views on the 'brain-melting' breadth of issues covered in the Lisbon Treaty to Róisín Ingle
AS PEOPLE wander into movies at the IFI in Dublin's Temple Bar, six young students sit around a table in the cinema's café discussing the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
It quickly emerges that for some the referendum is about as clear as the plots of the more obscure films occasionally shown here.
"Confused," admits film student and undecided voter Conor Barry (18), from Dublin, when asked how he feels about the referendum.
Also invited to a "Lisbon Lunch" by The Irish Times is chemical engineering student Deirdre Costello (21), from Kilkenny, who is "leaning towards a No vote, but still undecided".
Film student Sean McGovern (18), from Longford and Jeff Rockett (21), from Limerick, who is planning to study politics in September, say they are voting Yes. Dublin student Ruth Hunter (20) says that despite being worried "about being left out of Europe if we vote No", she is currently sitting on the fence.
"I think it's political coercion and a repackaging of the EU constitution," says international relations student Julie Mac Mahon (23) from Monaghan, who, while firmly in the No camp, is keen to distance herself from some of the more "extreme" elements of that campaign.
While they disagree on some issues, the group is mostly united in blaming the "brain-melting" breadth of issues involved for what they view as widespread public confusion.
"There are too many issues thrown in there which people don't realise they are voting for and I think Irish people should have a say individually on these aspects, which is why I am voting No," says Julie.
"There is too much in it, stuff like the majority voting and the WTO issue, and there's not enough clarity on any of it," says Deirdre.
"I agree with that," says Conor. "Some aspects do seem a bit iffy like the weighted voting making some countries getting less of a say.
"I am also not clear on whether voting Yes means we are opting for military involvement or whether we are going to stay neutral.
"It's a fairly big issue for me. If Europe decides to involve themselves in any military situation, Ireland might not get involved with it but by voting Yes we could be giving some kind of moral consensus to military action."
Neutrality and the prospect of a "European army" exercise the group like nothing else and is the source of some friendly conflict. "Firstly," argues Jeff, "this idea that Ireland is neutral anyway is an Irish myth. It's codswallop."
He says the mutual assistance article allows Ireland to "maintain our standoffish stance but it means we can send foreign aid or help when there is a disaster which is a positive aspect to this part of the treaty".
Fellow Yes voter Sean goes further. "We are on the edge of Western Europe, if anything happened we will need Europe with an army of some kind to protect us," he says.
"Anyway I think neutrality is just one small issue. Europe has done wonders for Ireland, we were a third-world country when we joined and if it wasn't for Europe we wouldn't be where we are today so we should strengthen, not weaken those ties."
A few, including Julie, express concern that ratifying the treaty might force Ireland to come into line with the rest of Europe on issues such as abortion, but Jeff and Sean disagree: "Europe cannot tell us what to do on social issues," argues Jeff.
"There is nothing to say we have to get in line with other countries on euthanasia or abortion or prostitution with or without the treaty."
Some of the No posters are deemed "terrible", including "that monkey one".
The Cóir poster reminding voters that people "died for your freedom" makes the group angry. "It's so unfair," says Ruth. "As if you can't be patriotic and vote Yes. It's very offensive."
The Yes campaign also comes in for criticism. "They haven't tried hard enough," says Deirdre.
"Any programmes I have watched, the people on the No side are much clearer about their arguments."
When Jeff says "if you look at everything the EU has done for us the benefits far outweigh being stranded on our own", Julie counters: "I don't think it's right to portray Ireland as a petulant child if we vote No."
"Sure, the EU has been really good to us but I don't think this treaty is necessary . . . the central challenge of the EU is how to unite everyone while maintaining each member state's autonomy. We signed up to Europe for economic reasons and freedom of movement, not to become some kind of Euroland."
After lunch Sean receives a call from a friend to tell him people from the No campaign were dressed up as Darth Vadar on Grafton Street. "You see, that's the kind of thing us No voters are being associated with," groans Julie. As for Conor, the illuminating lunchtime debate hasn't helped: "I am still equally confused. Having more information doesn't necessarily make it easier."