More referendum news and diary dates compiled by CARL O'BRIEN.
EVENTS TODAY
11am Irish Hotels Federation to launch its Yes to Europe campaign. Grand Hotel, Malahide.
12pm Sinn Féin to launch information guide outlining impact of Lisbon Treaty on the rural economy. Buswells Hotel, Dublin.
2.30pm Fine Gael to unveil interactive poster, the "Opinionator", which allows members of the public to "vote" and keep a running tally. Blackrock Shopping Centre, Dublin.
6.30pm Business Alliance Lisbon Treaty information roadshow. Radisson SAS Hotel, Athlone.
8pm VoteNo.ie public meeting. Presbyterian Church Hall, Lucan village, Dublin.
Fianna Fáil TD suggests 'next generation' learn more about EU
THE GOVERNMENT appears to be considering a new form of punishment for children who misbehave in school: obligatory lessons about the Lisbon Treaty.
At a Dáil committee yesterday, Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said many voters do not know enough about the Lisbon Treaty.
He said "the next generation should learn more about the EU to combat this knowledge gap.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he would consider introducing specific educational initiatives to inform schoolchildren about the EU.
It is expected, however, these heavy-handed steps would only be deployed against unruly students in the most extreme of circumstances.
Boston balladeer's singalong ditty takes aim at the treaty
IS IT too late to change our entry for Eurovision?
A song marginally less offensive to the ear than Dustin's Irlande Douze Pointshas just hit the airwaves.
It's a ditty written for the No lobby group, Libertas, about the evils of the Lisbon Treaty.
Easy Come, So Easy Goby Boston publican and balladeer Liam Tiernan manages to combine dire warnings of the population losing its freedom and prosperity in an upbeat singalong ditty.
The chorus of the song runs as follows: "Don't let them take away your voice, we fought hard to be free / Say no to the Lisbon Treaty, let's have true democracy."
However, Tiernan - who came to fame after writing The Boys of the Old Brigade- will probably admit it's not his finest work. With a repetitive chorus and questionable rhyming, it begins to sound annoying after about, oh, 30 seconds.
Check it out for yourself if you dare at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPrJ4SXQA7w