Defiant Cowen vows to push on despite opinion poll shock
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Taoiseach Brian Cowen said last night he wouldn't let the national interest be "compromised by a dishonest stance" as he appealed for a 'Yes' vote for the Lisbon Treaty.
Entering the final days of the referendum campaign, the main parties are now focusing on the economy in an effort to convince the one-in-three people who don't know how they will vote.
Responding to a poll showing the 'No' vote surging ahead in the referendum, Mr Cowen said tactics were being employed by the 'No' campaign to create confusion.
He said negative assertions continued to be made by the 'No' camp on issues such as abortion, tax, and neutrality and entitlement to a European Commissioner despite being dismissed comprehensively.
The poll showed the 'Yes' camp trailing the 'No' by 30pc to 35pc, with 35pc undecided.
Adopting a defiant stance, Mr Cowen said he was "absolutely confident" the campaign would be won by the 'Yes' side.
Campaign
"I want to continue with that approach in this campaign, I will not be deflected from it, I will call misrepresentation when I see it, and I will not allow the essential national interest of this country to be compromised by a dishonest stance," he said.
Mr Cowen said voters should deal with the Lisbon Treaty issue on referendum day on June 12 rather than focusing on domestic issues, such as declining house prices and job losses.
"The other issues, the domestic agenda, will return to its usual considered debate thereafter. But in the interests of the country; the interests of our people, all political parties in the mainstream are moving beyond party politics and saying this issue is one on which we are united. And we ask and communicate to the people the sincerity of that sentiment so we get the right result," he said.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said he wasn't surprised by the poll results, which he said showed the game was not over.
"No, I wasn't totally shocked. I would have thought it was a more even split," he said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny appeared to dodge a question on whether he would accept any responsibility if the referendum was defeated.
"I believe this treaty can still be won," he replied.
A majority of Fine Gael supporters are voting 'No', the poll showed.
Mr Kenny said he had "always accepted my measure of responsibility" since last year.
Distancing himself from the poor support among his own voters, Mr Kenny claimed a referendum was not voted upon along party lines.
"I think this is above inter-party squabbles," he said.
On the 'No' side, Sinn Fein MEP Mary Lou McDonald said the poll showed the public believed a better deal was possible.
'No' campaign group, Libertas, said it intended to fight for every vote over the coming days.
Libertas chairman Declan Ganley said he believed there was a strong feeling amongst the electorate that Ireland needed to retain its EU Commissioner, and secure a protocol on matters of taxation.
"We need a full discussion of the Lisbon Treaty in the coming days. This would be much easier if those on the other side had actually read it," he said.
- Michael Brennan and Fionnan Sheahan
