ok everyone knows they need to go for another referendum at some point, but when will they go for it. Some people suggest next Sept/Oct. My guess is they will go for it before the European Elections maybe in March. I cannot see them keeping up the recent intensity for a full year.

I think the MRBI poll from the IT was the opening shot in the campaign, PR compaines doing public meeting for the EU commission around the country, recent visit by margot walstrom, "announcement by December" according to Michael Martin.

I think the government will go for a short campaign of shock and awe with fear of being outside the EU tent as the "dark clouds" grow the central message. Also the EU want it done before the EU elections so the can operate under the new rules, plus the Gov don't want Ganely and others screwing with the local or European elections.

Any other guesses on the date or opinions?

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I suggested that we should have an annual Lisbon Treaty Feast Day on June 12.

It would make sense for lots of reasons.

One - we obviously love voting on it.

Two - secularisation needs a Feast Day and Lisbon can be Primus inter Pares.

Three - that date marks the anniversary of a great Irish uprising.

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How many banks do we own today?

It won't be before the European Parliament elections in June. I suspect some time after that with the aim still having it in place before Jan 09.

There is no chance whatsoever of a referendum this side of the European elections. All the parties will be too busy with the European and local campaigns. They simply don't have the the ability to run two campaigns, and a referendum, and have the expected March budget, and deal with the collapsing economy.

They is also no chance also of they having a referendum during the Czech presidency.

It will almost certainly be in October, early enough to miss the dark evenings, and long enough of a campaign after the summer recess.

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Myles per Hour has left politics.ie.

Cowards and wastrels... if they had any guts and any respect for the Irish people it would be held on the same day as the European elections

I mean for the love of God, we hear all these Yes men talk about how important it is to be in the heart of Europe, and how Lisbon is the no. 1 European issue at the moment... but when it comes to electing MEP's.. well we don't want the no. 1 issue becoming an actual issue on the doorsteps, do we ?

Rank cowardice...

So what does this wasteful Government do ?

It'll close the schools again next Autumn.. it'll tie up thousands of public service staff counting votes, sitting in polling booths, etc etc etc

And what will FG do about this "waste of taxpayers money".. they'll shut up and go along like sheep with the plan, lest their precious 5 MEP's might actually have to take a position on Lisbon prior to their re-election...

There are elections on the first week of June next year.. locals and Euro's... can the Irish people not be "trusted" with one extra ballot paper ?

Makes me sick to be honest.. the hypocrisy of the "democrats" in this little nation of hours

On the one hand they might be looking to the EU elections to provide some sort of a "mandate" (the majority of MEPs elected being pro-Lisbon and all that). Therefore October sounds like a reasonable bet.

On the other hand they might be thinking that an announcement in December (at the European Council) of a referendum in October might be a bit too long of a campaign to be managable - particularly with the economy falling to pieces before our eyes.

The clincher for me is that any FFer I've spoken to about it is adamant that there's not a hope in hell of another referendum this side of the EU elections.

February/March 2009 it is then.

Yes that would be about right Spartacus

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How many banks do we own today?

If cowen puts Lisbon before his party it would be on the same day as the locals. If he wants it passed it should be march ie before the minibudget. If he is highly conservative, then Autumn will be the time.

I think the 12th of Never is a more likely date IMO!

Got a feeling these latest moves are all for show.

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COUNTRY FIRST

Not until the next budget anyway! No money was put aside for the Lisbon Treaty in Budget '08, unlike Budget '07 which allocated €5.8 million for the Lisbon Treaty campaign. Irish Examiner | Irish News | News from Ireland

No doubt there will be a Lisbon II, but it would be pointless to try to do it now. Voters will often vote against governments if they are not happy with their current position. With the grey vote still reeling from the medical cards disaster, another Lisbon Treaty would be a fruitless endeavor.