Education and not coercion key to Lisbon vote

THE Irish are very good at achieving the impossible when the situation is critical.

When it comes to day-to-day management, being democratic and looking after basic necessities, the political Irish are third world.

Our politicians, through sheer neglect and wanton disrespect, managed to lose the referendum on the Lisbon treaty, despite having played a significant role in its formulation. Now, having pulled the guarantees rabbit out of the hat, they are about to put the matter to the people again. The logic for doing so is simple – Ireland will be placed at a disadvantage unless it proves itself to be a team player in the EU and ratify the change of rules the governments of the other 26 have agreed.