Lisbon referendum - Exercise your duty and vote

THE eyes of Europe are on Ireland for today’s vote on the Lisbon treaty. The Irish Examiner has taken a strong stand in favour of the treaty, calling on people to vote yes. But it is even more important that people should vote, one way or the other.

Voting is both a privilege and a duty. The treaty is long and complicated. Very few voters will have read, much less studied, the document. Encouraging people to vote in the circumstances does not mean urging them to vote blindly.

In the remainder of the EU, people are essentially relying on their politicians to decide for them.

That is the essence of representative democracy. People do not have the time to examine the various ramifications of legislation and they delegate that responsibility to their leaders.

On this issue, however, the Irish people have the added opportunity of examining the terms of the treaty and then taking our own individual stands. Many will, in essence, follow the lead of politicians that they respect.

This is unquestionably a more democratic way than ignoring individual opinions. Hence it is important that people should demonstrate their democratic commitment by voting.