The fact that a second referendum on Lisbon Treaty is taking place on 2nd October is emminently broadcasted, whether in form of poster war, or booklet distribution, or debates on television and radio.

However, there are some rather dodgy information going round from both the “Yes” and the “No” camps, and I’m flabbergasted to hear some of the touted “facts” (“they’re going to make abortion legal”; “they’ll make us go to war!”; “there will be more jobs”).

Here are a few links, sites and PDF documents that are presented in plain simple English (none of the legal jibberish talk) that hopefully will help you better understand the Treaty and make decision on your vote.

• The Lisbon Treaty – main concerns answered on the homepage!
• EUROPA : Lisbon Treaty – Q&A
• Talk to EU : Lisbon Treaty Guide (link at bottom to PDF document)
• Common misconceptions about the Lisbon Treaty
• Summary in 2 pages obtained from Vote.ie (PDF document)

To anyone who have only been listening to others talking convincingly about the Treaty, please don’t make up your mind yet until you’ve get a chance to at least look at the 2-pages summary above – it won’t take long, I promise. See for yourself if what they’ve informed you is correct.

Please do not use your vote to make political points over the currently very unpopular government – this is not the time for “protest vote”.

Please separate the issues that are at stake and vote accordingly.

Please vote based on informed decision.

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Side note:

What prompted me to blog this was a friend who is a postgraduate student – so someone highly educated – who believes in the hearsays and actually told me emphatically that Lisbon Treaty will bring Ireland to war, be dictated by EU on taxation and legalise abortions. And I happened to have read these for myself and know that these were not the provisions within the Treaty. (No, said friend hasn’t read the Treaty information leaflet.)

Same goes, with another friend in the “Yes” camp, arguing that Ireland will be alienated and we’ll be losing more jobs. But these are speculative. However, with the Treaty not ratified, it does meant the EU remains embroiled in the current way it runs (which you can judge for yourself if they’re efficient or not). Also, there isn’t anything in the Treaty that promises more job to Ireland – unless ratification opens up EU for more members, thus bigger job market, and this is what counts as more job openings?

The vote on Lisbon Treaty had been carried out and it was rejected. How a “mere” 1.5 million Irish had made such decision that affects some 490 million Europeans. Post referendum analysis showed misinformed voters who voted No for a myriad of reasons that most had nothing to do with the Treaty itself. Now, that, was really unfortunate.

Quoting a friend who was frustrated with the outcome “If anyone voted No as a protest to the current government, or other equally childish excuses, I will call him/her a stupid muppet to his/her face. I have no problem with people having different political views from mine, but I have major bone to pick with someone who can’t get their facts right and vote in accordance to the issue.”

Nonetheless, the majority of the half of the country that bothered to come out and vote wants their voices to be respected. Regardless of the reason behind their ticks on the ballot paper.

What’s next? Well, that’s what everyone would like to know.

There had been this axe hanging across the neck of Ireland, of potential exclusion from an unified European Union. The Taoiseach had been asked “to come up with a solution” but of course time is needed to plan things through. Too hastily declaring something would undoubtedly put the voters on the defensive.

Step in President Sarkozy.

Even before he took over the presidency, his reaction to the No vote had been swift and antagonistic. I understand he is anxious over the uncertainties, and he is keen to make his mark during this presidency, but surely there’s a more diplomatic way to go about this?

Perhaps not in his world. Instead, from where he stands, “The Irish will have to vote again“. Just like that. Ouch, not a nice nor conductive remark in the strive for a solution. His team of staff has no choice but to work on damage control. Playing down the implication of his comment. Respin it as “The Irish will probably have to vote again“.

Ah politics…

(Yes, I am a major sceptic when it comes to trusting the nature of politics, regardless of who’s right and who’s wrong, or even where is the middle ground for everyone. Let’s see what’s next in this unfolding saga.)