THE final push by both sides in the Lisbon Treaty referendum got undern way today.

Both the 'Yes' and 'No' camps held a series of news conferences today in advance of Thursday's vote and the last official day of canvassing.

Broadcasting organisations will observe the traditional "eve of vote" moratorium on referendum news tomorrow, while the print media will continue to provide full news coverage.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the charge at a Fianna Fail news conference in Dublin's Burlington Hotel, while Enda Kenny was joined by his four predecessors as Fine Gael leader in the Shelbourne Hotel.

Labour held its final news conference, while the Irish Alliance for Europe called for a 'Yes' vote at lunchtime.

A number of Irish trade unions called for a 'No' vote today. Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams held the party's final news conference at the GPO.

Separately, the Irish Anti-War Movement and German and Austrian anti-Lisbon activists also turned out at the GPO, canvassing for a 'No' vote.

The leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour held a joint news conference yesterday calling on voters to put aside party differences and unite to protect Ireland's position within the European Union.

Mr Cowen said: "There are issues where we stand together in the overall national interest and beyond partisan party politics."

He called on the electorate to do their "patriotic" duty and vote 'Yes'.

Mr Cowen has said he would take responsibility if the Lisbon Treaty was defeated, but confidently asserted: "I believe we're going to win."

Enda Kenny said that a recent opinion poll, which showed the 'No' side leading by five points, had been "so stark" that it would encourage 'Yes' voters to get out and vote.

Mr Gilmore said rejecting the Treaty would throw Ireland into "uncertain waters" and, pointing to the deteriorating economic climate, added: "This isn't the time to throw a wobbly on Europe."

Sinn Fein's Mr Adams, campaigning in Limerick, insisted that Ireland could get a better deal if voters rejected the treaty and sent the Government back to Europe to renegotiate.

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Anti-Lisbon Treaty group Libertas held a press conference outside the gates of Government Buildings last night to display airline tickets it had bought for Mr Cowen, Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore to travel to Brussels on Friday night and "begin the renegotiations."

Environment Minister John Gormley sparked a row with the opposition by highlighting the lack of Fine Gael and Labour voters who are in favour of the Lisbon Treaty.

He said his party could not be blamed for a 'No' victory because it was the most "pro-European".

Fine Gael European Affairs spokeswoman Lucinda Creighton reacted angrily to Mr Gormley's comments.

She said she had personally been campaigning for the treaty in the Dublin South East constituency they share for the past three months.

- Michael Lavery