One has to be well informed to vote as an aware citizen.

FACT: The national press is unfairly relating more PRO campaign for one reason. Until the date of the referendum is officially given, there is no regulation to give equal audiovisual time or press opportunities to YES and NO campaigns in the Irish media.

FACT: The European Commission, unlike in France, decided not to publish any literature on the text being voted on. Whereas 40 million French voters could enjoy the unreadable Constitution text in their own mailbox, the European Commission decided the Irish people did not deserve that.

FACT: On 20 February, the European Parliament voted by a huge majority (499 to 129) that it doesn't 'undertake to respect the outcome of the referendum in Ireland'. It is important to know that the European Parliament has not a legislative but only a consulting role. The only thing that such an insulting vote is doing is to try to minimise the crucial importance of the Irish vote and discourage the Irish people from getting informed and voting. What it shows, on another level, is the EU institutions' fear of facing another popular, democratic defeat after France and Holland.

The EU officials want to impress the Irish voter. Yet, most Pro-Lisbon arguments at any debate on the Treaty lack substance. Speakers often spend time re-telling the European Union's history so far, emphasising its achievements, quickly forgetting the crisis which the free circulation of goods, people and capital also caused - to name a few, the Irish Ferry crisis, and now the Ruffert case, in which foreign workers decent wages and trade union protection are at the mercy of greedy companies supported by the European Court of Justice, whereas the No arguments systematically refer to the text itself.

It is the duty of each one of us to do a minimum citizen work as to know as exactly as possible what we are voting about. So to debates and public meetings, get really informed about it. I will not be surprised that the more you will discover, the more reasons you will have to vote against the numerous dangers, which the Lisbon Treaty opens doors to.

Saying 'No' to Lisbon is not saying 'No' to Europe. A really democratic EU, respectful of its citizens and guaranteeing their social rights and the sovereignty of the many peoples of Europe, can only take time and a lot of efforts to get us together, working with our European neighbours in the first place to build the feeling of brotherhood and community on which our representatives will then openly elaborate a text that looks like what people want. This treaty is far from doing that.

Sometimes using scaremongering tactics, the unelected European Commission and government officials are trying to push it as a last resort option. Of course it is not and there is no rush. Lucky you, the power to decide is in your hands. Please make a good use of it.

In solidarity,
Laurent Pardon,
Galway

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