Final push for Lisbon Treaty poll

The key players in the Lisbon treaty referendum were preparing last-minute pleas to voters today, ahead of a 24-hour broadcasting black-out.

The Government will be making its final pitch on the merits of backing the treaty, hoping to lure those on the no side and win-over those still undecided.

For the second time in 18 months the fate of almost 500 million EU citizens will be in the hands of around three million voters when they go to the polls on the controversial charter on Friday.

Decision time has arrived for almost 750 voters on islands off the Co Donegal coast as they take to the polls today.

Islanders on Arranmore, Gola, Inishbofin, Inishfree and Tory Island will cast their ballots from this morning, followed by the Aran Islands off Co Galway tomorrow.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has branded the vote a defining moment for Ireland and claimed it was vital the country does not give the impression it is turning its back on Europe.

The latest opinion polls have given the yes side a commanding lead but Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said pro-treaty activists would continue a vigorous campaign.

All European eyes are on Ireland as it is the only EU country holding a referendum on the treaty.

The yes campaign claims there is no back-up plan if voters reject the document as the fears expressed by voters the first time around have been dealt with by way of legal guarantees.

But activists in the no camp say nothing in the treaty has changed and that there is no basis to the yes side’s core argument about Lisbon creating jobs.