On June 12, Ireland holds a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which governs how the EU will be run for decades to come. Only one per cent out of a population of 486 million in 27 countries, will actually get to vote on the Treaty. I just can't understand how 26 countries can bypass their democratic right to decide on Lisbon.

If the Treaty is passed, we will have the familiar photos and video of the Taoiseach Brian Cowen signing a treaty on behalf of the rest of us. Even though he has admitted he has not read the treaty in full.

At least our man in Brussells should be up to the job. No. Irish EU Commissioneer Charlie McCreevy also admitted he had not read the Treaty and disturbingly added that no "sane, sensible person" would be expected to read it!

So, who has read it? And should we sign something we don't understand? Does anybody care?