3RD OF YOUNG VOTERS UNDECIDED ON LISBON; Battle lines drawn on treaty.

Byline: EOIN REYNOLDS

MORE than one third of young Irish voters remain undecided over the Lisbon Treaty, a poll has revealed.

On the day that pro and anti-Lisbon groups launched their campaigns, the news sparked a desperate bid to swing the vast numbers of undecided under 40s.

The survey revealed 37% of them still don't know which way they will vote in the October 2 referendum.

Just over one third said they will vote yes and 23% said they opposed the treaty.

But all is still to play for with so many yet to make up their minds.

The poll was conducted by the Behaviour And Attitudes company for the We Belong pro-treaty group.

Director Olivia Buckley said: "Support for Lisbon is important for the thousands of young people in Ireland who want a future for Ireland and a future for themselves.

"They are among those most affected by unemployment yet they retain a huge sense of selfbelief and have a desire for Ireland to get back on track."

Sports stars such as Jack O'Shea, Packie Bonner and Mick Galwey and business tycoons including Bill Cullen have pledged their support to the We Belong campaign.

A massive publicity campaign will be waged in the weeks ahead to convince voters the Lisbon Treaty is the best option for Ireland.

The country's second largest trade union Unite also chose yesterday to launch its campaign against the second attempt to pass the treaty.

It called on its 60,000 members to vote no saying the treaty does not do enough to protect workers' rights.

Spokesman Jimmy Kelly said: "We were told that workers' rights would be protected under Lisbon and that we were scare-mongering.

"When the Irish Government went seeking legal guarantees they got them in areas of taxation, of morality, and in numbers of commissioners - but not in relation to workers' rights.

"Instead we got a 'solemn declaration' that is worthless given the way in which the European Courts have interpreted workers' rights as being subservient to those of business."

Micheal Martin also continued his spat with anti-treaty campaigners Cosaint na Noig.

Coin had hit out at the Foreign Minister for saying it was a branch of anti-abortion campaigners Youth Defence.

Mr Martin and the Fianna Fail press office yesterday produced photographs of the joint head office of YD and Coin and insisted there is no difference between the organisations.

Irish Mirror Comment: Page 8

STATE OF OPINION

70% BELIEVE the vote will affect how Ireland is perceived around the world.

54% BELIEVE Ireland's ability to attract foreign investment and jobs would be improved by a yes vote.

36% OF 24 to 40-yearolds say they are likely to vote yes.

23% ARE likely to vote no.

37% ARE still undecided.