Irish hold crunch EU treaty vote

The referendum result is not expected until Saturday afternoon Polling opens shortly in Ireland's second referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty - a vote that could be decisive for long-delayed changes in the EU. Irish voters rejected the treaty by referendum in June 2008, by a margin of almost 7%. This time opinion polls suggest the "Yes" camp will win. The Republic of Ireland is the only one of the EU's 27 member states to put the treaty to a referendum. Ireland's economy has been hit hard by the credit crunch since the last vote. The treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the enlarged bloc, cannot take effect unless all the member states ratify it.The referendum result is not expected until early afternoon on Saturday. Apart from Ireland, the only other countries yet to ratify it are the Czech Republic and Poland. All of Ireland's major parties campaigned for a "Yes" vote except the nationalist Sinn Fein. The "Yes" camp also had some lavish donations from big business. The repeat referendum is about the same treaty text, but since last year EU leaders have given specific commitments on issues which made some Irish voters nervous last time. The country will not be forced to legalise abortion, to lose control over taxation, and will not have its neutrality threatened. Opponents say Lisbon undermines national sovereignty and concentrates too much power in Brussels. The treaty would bring in some major changes. It would expand the policy areas subject to qualified majority voting (QMV), rather than unanimity. It would also establish a new post of president of the European Council - the grouping of EU states' leaders - and a high representative for foreign affairs. Treaty supporters say that Lisbon would greatly increase the European Parliament's powers of "co-decision" with the European Council. Ireland would retain its commissioner under Lisbon, as the treaty would keep the European Commission team at 27. Without Lisbon, the Commission team would have to be reduced in size.