With a little over six weeks to go to the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the Government has a long way to go to convince voters that a 'yes' vote is in their best interests.

A Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post found that only 35 per cent of the population are in favour of the treaty with 31 per cent against. Meanwhile, research released by the independent body set up to inform people about the treaty on Monday indicated that just one in 20 people believe they understand the Treaty, with two-thirds saying they do not understand it at all.

Referendum Commission chairman, High Court judge Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill has said the research shows that the level of understanding of the treaty right now is quite poor. He's spot on. Ask anyone and you will get the same puzzled look.

The findings are an indication of the success of the 'no' side thus far. Declan Ganley's Libertas group in particular has engaged the public in a language that they understand, raising concerns about issues that affect people at a basic level, such as concerns about Foreign Direct Investment and destination tax. The group has also been careful to dismiss any claims that they are anti-Europe, saying that they appreciate what Europe has done for Ireland but do not favour this treaty.

The 'yes' side meanwhile has done little other than to point out that Europe has been good for Ireland thus far. An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said a 'no' to Lisbon would be disastrous for the country, while at a time of genuine concerns about CAP, he has said that farmers should be the ones leading the 'yes' vote.

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern may be right but people want to know why. The government may have operated their 'yes' campaign thus far on the basis that people will follow political parties and local politicians that they know, but that now seems to be resolutely not the case.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan was the first person on the 'yes' side I could identify this week, who offered a counter claim, saying Fianna Fáil will always protect the CAP at home. That's a good start. Now tell us why Lisbon is actually good for us.

With six short weeks to go, it's time the Government started engaging with the general public on the issues and give them a reason to vote 'yes' rather than just stipulating that they must do so.

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