Libertas.org

"Brian Cowen's first words on the Lisbon Treaty as Taoiseach were that it would be a "huge step backwards" for Ireland if we vote No to the treaty in the forthcoming referendum.

As Taoiseach, he has the opportunity to drive the debate on the Treaty. To raise issues that, perhaps, have been left out of the debate so far, and to inform people about its contents.

Unfortunately he used his first opportunity to comment on the debate to issue a dire, unsubstantiated warning on the non-existent consequences of the Treaty's rejection.

The reality is that Lisbon is a bad deal for Ireland. No amount of irresponsible scaremongering will change that.

On a personal level, I wish Brian Cowen well as he faces into the many other challenges that the country faces, and I congratulate his family on what must be a wonderful day for them".

"According to the Government's own referendum commission, 80% of Irish people don't know what's in the Lisbon Treaty.

Bertie Ahern's response? He tells them they would be "insane" to vote against it.