EurActiv was first to break the news that the second referendum would be held on 2 October (EurActiv 24/06/09), and in the subsequent weeks, the forces advocating a 'yes' vote have begun to mobilise strongly.
Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen yesterday confirmed the date, and told the Irish parliament that his ruling Fianna Fáil party would co-operate with all pro-treaty parties – including those in opposition – in the run-up to the vote.
Emphasising the need to put party politics aside, Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche acknowledged that last year's 'yes' campaign degenerated into political point-scoring between the main parties. This "must not be allowed to happen again," he stressed.
Buzek signals EU intent: Get involved
Indeed, it appears that a more proactive approach is being advocated among 'Lisbonistas' outside as well as within Dublin.
Polish MEP and former Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, who is almost certain to become the European Parliament's next president, yesterday indicated that if elected, he would go to Ireland "to tell people what the treaty is for" and "what's going on in it".
"I want to go to Ireland," Buzek said, adding that he might join forces with Ireland's former European Parliament President Pat Cox, who told EurActiv in an interview that he would step down from his current role as president of the European Movement to work for a 'yes' vote in the referendum (EurActiv 04/05/09).
This represents a significant about-turn for the European political establishment, which in the run-up to the first Irish referendum made a point of not actively involving itself in the 'yes' campaign.
However, this time around, it seems the 'yes' forces have no such qualms about making their presence felt in the Irish referendum run-up.
"The whole of the EU establishment is holding its breath," one Irish analyst told EurActiv, a fact demonstrated last week when the European Parliament delayed its vote on José Manuel Barroso's re-appointment as Commission president (EurActiv 02/07/09).
Recent polls indicate that popular opinion is swinging solidly towards a 'yes' vote, though the Irish analyst pointed out that similar patterns occurred before last year's 53-47% 'no' vote.
