This is the final week of the Lisbon Treaty campaign. Opinion polls have suggested that the vote is very tight and either side could win.

The main political parties, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour, have their supporters putting posters up around the country, but there is little down to earth door to door canvassing. The campaigners on the no side in the national media seem far more enthusiastic.

Some of the points they make, like the loss of a commissioner on a temporary basis, have some conviction, for five out of every fifteen years we will not have one, but we have one currently.

But given that there are over 28 countries now in the European Union decision-making becomes more complex and difficult. This point seems to be really lost on many people. When there were just 12 members life was much easier for the EU.

Now there are a lot more members, the bureaucracy is larger and more laws are being implemented. The euro has been a great success. Ireland has never been as prosperous even if there is a small downturn now.

The rising cost of living and oil prices may create some dissatisfaction and lead to more support in the opinion polls to the no side. Overall, there seems to be much confusion on the referendum. Some claim it is an amended EU Constitution that was rejected by France and Holland.

Given its length of over 150 pages, many voters will not read it but will trust their party views that it is good for Ireland. How many trust their elected politicians? That will be a key question.

Defence issues have been raised again, but neutrality is enshrined for Ireland and other members. There are American worries that the new Treaty could see other countries spend more on the defence of Europe and thus be less dependent on the USA and NATO.

Some American commentators are even opposing the Lisbon Treaty, which is interesting.

The European Union has been so good for Ireland, many people would fine it hard to vote against it. When we voted against the Nice Treaty we had to go out and vote again on it.

There was no re-negotiation then and the Government is hinting this time that the same could happen again. Another referendum later in the year could be an outcome if the No vote carries.

This week there is a big push by the political establishment to get the vote through. If they fail it is a big blow to new Taoiseach Brian Cowen. He was on RTE this week pushing his case, knowing that his credibility is partly at stake, if the vote fails.

Did the political establishement not put enough effort in? Was there too much focus on Tribunals and the economy and not enough active campaigning. We shall have to wait and see. We will know on Friday.

The IFA have been arguing about the trade treaties that are being negotiated by Peter Mandelson. They say that Irish farmers could lose out, but now that the Government has given support to some of the IFA views they have come out in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. This has caused confusion among farmer voters.

The Trade Unions have also expressed some concern over worker rights and the fear of foreign workers wages undercutting indigenous workers pay, as well as fears over agency workers, but a new law is planned on this subject.

The economy is already a little shaky, will a No vote be a further blow to business confidence?

As the European soccer championship is played out in neutral Austria and Switzerland, the public focus is on sport. As the different European countries play out to the end of the Group stages, all eyes will turn to Ireland for the vote. There will be a shock if there is a No vote.

Will the Irish again cause a European crisis? We shall have to wait and see.