Barroso: Now is the time for the Irish people to decide

“IT’S over to you” was the message from Brussels as Ireland prepared to go to the polls in a second attempt to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.

There is a keen sense of people connected with the EU holding their breath as to the outcome of the referendum and none more so than the 10,000 or so Irish living in Brussels.

Asked if Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had any final message for the Irish voters, his spokesperson said, “Now is the time for the Irish people to decide. He simply hopes that as many people as possible will use their democratic right and make their voice heard.”