In less than two weeks’ time, the Irish people have a major decision to make about our economic future. Whilst this referendum might relate to Europe – it is different to past referenda in the sense that it is fundamentally about Ireland, our future and the message we want to send to the world about our country and our economy.

At this stage many people feel bombarded by information – between the internet, the media, the Referendum Commission, the Government booklet outlining the facts and the various campaigns there has certainly been no shortage of information and at this stage it falls to the Irish people to sift through all the information, separate the facts from the fiction and make our sovereign decision.

For me it is a simple choice – adopt an economic strategy which provides us with security, guaranteed funding and a sense of certainty about the way forward for our country or take a leap into the unknown. Throughout this entire campaign, time and time again, it has come back to this issue – if we reject the Stability Treaty where is our safety net? After the last number of difficult years this country and its people have experienced, at this stage I want that safety net in place. I want to know that if anything goes wrong economically that we can access funding and continue to pay for vital services that we depend on. I also want to live and rear a family in a country which can never again be economically hijacked by politicians of any political hue. The days of buying the support of the people with their own money in the run up to elections has to end.

This Treaty makes sense. It puts in place rules that amount to good housekeeping and yet it is flexible enough to allow countries save money in good times and dip into a “rainy day” fund when times are not so good.

It is not a magic wand solution but it makes it clear to the world – to potential investors and job creators – that Ireland is back and open for business, that we have put safeguards in place to protect our economy and that we have taken responsible measures learning from the past. It is that powerful message which this Treaty offers that has motivated so many people from all walks of life to come out and ask for a “YES” vote on the 31st May.

Let’s make the right decision – check out www.votesyes2012.ie  – and let’s be part of Ireland’s solution.