EVERY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the latest news and campaign moves, squabbles and – hopefully – useful tidbits of information as we face into the 31 May Fiscal Compact referendum.

(If you just want to make up your mind by yourself, you can read TheJournal.ie’s layman’s guide to the treaty).

WHAT’S NEW?

• Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that the wording of the Fiscal Compact will NOT be changed. He then suggested that a growth stimulus programme could potentially be brought in as an aside to the compact after a heads-of-government meeting in June.
• Have you received a ‘No’ campaign leaflet tucked inside the official Referendum Commission guide, which is supposed to be neutral and independent? You’re not the only one – the Commission told TheJournal.ie that it has been in contact with An Post on more than one occasion to ask that staff not put the two leaflets together.
• Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin got viciously verbal with each other in the Dáil chamber over fiscal-related matters. Gilmore, for the record, is “sick and tired” of Sinn Féin “talking down” the country.  Ó Caoláin, for the record, reckons the Government did all the listening and none of the talking at last night’s European Council meeting. As long as we’re all being honest, eh?
• The National Forum, which describes itself as a “centre-right think tank established to promote a free enterprise, low-tax economy” is hosting a referendum debate tomorrow at 6pm in the Clarion Hotel Cork. In the ‘Yes’ corner – Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney, Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath and in the ‘No’ corner is Eddie Hobbs and the only non-Cork person on the panel, Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald. Free in but you have to email info@nationalforum.ie to secure a seat.

STRAIGHT-SHOOTING QUESTION OF THE DAY

The national charity for promoting youth issues, SpunOut, has launched a campaign to help younger voters get to grips with all angles of the upcoming referendum…. “Like many adults they are finding the political system inaccessible, confusing and uninspiring”.

You said it, buddy.

They have been putting politicians on the spot on various issues – including Simon Coveney and Joan Burton about the Thursday timing of the poll…

(via spunoutmedia/Youtube.com)

DOUBLE HELPING OF IRASCIBLE BROADCASTER OF THE DAY

Need someone to cut through the waffle and get down to the nitty gritty? Our money’s on Vincent Browne, who will attempt to explain what the Fiscal Compact is all about in an hour-long documentary on TV3 tonight.

Vincent Browne’s Inside Story of the Fiscal Treaty starts at 10pm and is followed by the usual Tonight With Vincent Browne programme. Because you can never have too many programmes with Vincent Browne in the title in one evening.

‘HERE, HOLD MY BALL’ PIC OF THE DAY

Sinn Féín’s Jonathan O’Brien must have been dreaming of ‘O’Brien’s on the ball’ headlines at this photoshoot with Monaghan United manager Roddy Collins today. We don’t think the Ireland squad for Euro 2012 is actually in on their unsuspecting recruitment by the ‘No’ side.

MEANWHILE, IN BRAY…

Enda Kenny wasn’t on official referendum campaign business here but it can’t help to be seen honouring Ireland’s brilliant world title holder Katie Taylor at Bray Boxing Gym, (he’s seen here chatting with her dad and trainer Peter):

(thanks to Catherine Finn for her photos)

THE ‘NO’ VIDEO THAT’S PROBABLY NOT REALLY IN FAVOUR OF A ‘NO’ VOTE

Eamonn MacEamonn* (*may not be his real name, or indeed his real beard) presents his Fair and Objective Guide to the Fiscal Treaty Referendum. “Vote No because we’re Irish and it’s our thing; Vote No because they’ll give us the money anyway because we’re brilliant.”

(via dorismagee/Youtube.com)

Read in full: The Fiscal Compact Treaty in laymans’ terms (PDF)>

Read more: TheJournal.ie’s coverage of the Fiscal Compact referendum>

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