Dublin - The

Dublin  - Just over 3 million Irish voters were called to the polls Thursday to vote on the European Union's Lisbon treaty.

Dublin - With a traditional eve-of-vote news blackout in operation in Ireland Wednesday, the country's three leading political parties, who have pushed hard for a yes vote, were holding their breath ahead of the referendum to ratify the EU Lisbon Treaty Thursday.

As polls show the result of Thursday's vote is balanced on a knife-edge, Prime Minister Brian Cowen told Irish national broadcaster broadcaster RTE Tuesday that if there was a no vote, Ireland could not wait another eight years for reform of the EU in order to compete with emerging economies such as China and India.

He added that Europe would go back to an uncertain situation if the Lisbon Treaty was defeated.

Cowen emphasized that all of Ireland's concerns had been catered for in the treaty, RTE reported.

Dublin -

Cork, Ireland - Fisherman blockaded the entrance to Cork harbour in southern Ireland Tuesday to protest rising fuel costs and limited fishing quotas, Irish national broadcaster RTE reported.