European eyes will be on Ireland today as some three million people cast their votes on the crucial Lisbon Treaty referendum re-run.
For the second time in almost 18 months, Irish citizens are being asked to determine the fate of around 500 million people across the EU.
Pro and anti-treaty activists have been making frenetic final appeals to voters in a last-ditch effort to woo undecideds.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen pleaded with the electorate to get out and back the charter, claiming the vote was too important to sit on the sidelines.
“The outcome will determine the future direction of our country and I am urging people to go out and vote and to think clearly before making this vital decision,” he said.
“I am appealing to every person in this country who believes that Ireland and Europe are better together to help achieve a Yes vote.
Ireland is the only EU country holding a referendum on the treaty because it has to amend its national Constitution to ratify its provisions.
Opinion polls have shown the pro-treaty camp gained momentum over the summer months, with half of all voters set to back the charter as of last weekend.
Bookmaker Connell Yallop, of Lucan Racing in Mr Cowen’s hometown of Clara, said he does not expect to lose any money on Lisbon.
Declaring a heavy defeat for the No camp and odds of 1/25 for the treaty to pass, he said: “It’s not really a bet.
“It’s fairly well stacked that a Yes vote will get through at the second time – 1/25 is fairly substantial.”
Voting stations in 43 constituencies across the country will open at 7 a.m. and not close until 10 p.m. to allow workers plenty of opportunity to cast their ballots.
Pro and anti-treaty activists hoping to squeeze in some last-minute electioneering at polling booths will be out of luck as canvassing is banned at the voting stations.
Campaigners will not be allowed to put up posters or distribute leaflets.
Voters will be given a white polling card asking if they approve or disapprove of amending the constitution ratifying the controversial charter.
An X is to be placed inside the Yes or No box.
Residents on offshore islands in counties Donegal, Galway and Clare have already cast their ballots as polls opened on Tuesday and Wednesday.
After polls close, the ballot boxes will be sent to counting centres across the country and at 9 a.m. on Saturday the tally begins.
After each count is completed, the local returning officer will inform the referendum returning officer in Dublin Castle, where details of constituency results will be announced.
A final national result is expected to be officially announced in Dublin Castle by mid-afternoon.