Brussels, 01/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - Over three million Irish are to go to the urns on Friday 2 October to state for the second time, by referendum, whether they want the Lisbon Treaty or not. The polling stations will close late in the evening (10.00pm) and vote counting will not begin until the morning of Saturday 3 October. During his last press conference before the ballot, Prime Minister Brian Cowen once again stressed how important this vote was. If the treaty is rejected for a second time, Ireland “will face a period of extraordinary uncertainty in Europe”, he said. In these times of major economic crisis, that is exactly what the country does not need, he stressed. Furthermore, a “yes” vote would show international investors that “Ireland remains at the heart of Europe”. The referendum will also determine the direction that Ireland will be taking with regard to European integration, the prime minister said, adding that this referendum is as important as the country's decision in 1973 to join the EEC. Mr Cowen was also categorical about ruling out a third referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, saying: “There won't be a Lisbon III, that's for sure”. The legal guarantees given by the 26 member states on sensitive subjects (abortion, neutrality, keeping a commissioner and taxation) are sufficient for the people of Ireland to be able to sign up to the treaty, Mr Cowen said. The latest polls predict a victory by the “yes” vote with a turnout of 55%. (H.B./transl.jl)