Vote tomorrow - if you do not, others will make the decision for you, writes IARFHLAITH O'NEILL
THE DEBATE is almost over, many voices have been heard; some have urged you to vote Yes, others have urged you to vote No. What we in the Referendum Commission are urging you to do is simply to vote.
Why should you? Because remember that while you may not vote, others will. They will decide whether or not to change your Constitution. They will make a decision that is likely to affect the Ireland and the Europe in which you live, while you choose to be a bystander.
It is of course your right, if you wish, to allow others make the decision for you. But we have produced material designed to ensure you can inform yourself. Our job is also to encourage people to vote. If you still feel you do not know enough, you can get the information you need at www.lisbontreaty2008.ie, or by reading the Referendum Commission's handbook which has been delivered to homes throughout Ireland and which can be downloaded from that website.
The treaty is a lengthy and complex document, but it is possible to list in broad terms the main changes the treaty would bring were it to be ratified:
• Some decisions which currently must be taken unanimously would be taken by a qualified majority vote. These areas include energy, asylum, immigration, judicial co-operation and sport.
• Some decisions would continue to be taken unanimously, such as those in the areas of defence and taxation.
• Each member state would choose an EU commissioner for 10 out of every 15 years. That is two out of every three commission terms as opposed to the current position which is that each member state chooses a commissioner on every occasion.
• The European Parliament would be given more decision-making powers.
• There would be a new post, that of President of the European Council.
• The European Council would in future be able to propose changes to the EU treaties which would then have to be approved by member states.
• The Charter of Fundamental Rights would be given the same legal value as the main treaties.
There are other aspects of the treaty which people will see as being of significance, and details on these issues can be accessed through our website. Our advice to voters is to read our account of it and make a decision.
The commission is an independent body, set up by law, in order to give an impartial account of the details of the treaty and to encourage people to vote. The commission was established just three months ago. Our website, www.lisbontreaty2008.ie, has been in operation for a number of months and we are glad that thousands have engaged with it over the campaign and are continuing to do so this week. It contains a neutral explanation of the treaty provisions as well as some additional information.
We have delivered a handbook to homes throughout the State, explaining as simply as possible what you are being asked to decide in the referendum and what the treaty is about, while an extensive advertising campaign has helped inform voters as to where they can find the information.
We know there are still those who say they do not have enough information. My point here is to say to those people that the information is there and is readily available. The treaty itself is not simple, but the main changes it would bring about can be understood.
To have an adequate understanding of what they are voting on, voters do not need to become experts in the complex decision-making procedures of the EU. But they must take a little time to read about it and if they do I believe they will feel sufficiently informed to vote.
The Lisbon Treaty contains changes in some quite complex decision-making procedures. It is not necessary, however, to understand all the intricacies of the treaty in order to decide how to vote. There will always be some uncertainties in the legal regime governing the EU, whether the treaty is ratified or rejected. However, voters can take a view on what they perceive to be the broad impact of the treaty and exercise their vote on that basis.
For the Lisbon Treaty to be ratified, it must be approved by each of the 27 EU member states. Of those 27 EU member states, Ireland is the only one holding a referendum on this treaty. This gives us a particular privilege and also a particular responsibility. The peoples and governments of Europe are watching closely because our decision on whether to vote No or to vote Yes to the treaty will affect them too. So on Thursday, ballot boxes in polling stations throughout the State will be open to allow you to make this decision.
We Irish people have always been proud of our engagement with politics both at home and in the world around us.
We are known not to be shy about giving an opinion. We can all have an opinion on the Lisbon Treaty and we can and should express it on Thursday.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill is chairman of the Referendum Commission - www.lisbontreaty2008.ie