It has been suggested that Ireland voted in favour of previous EU-related treaties because of financial incentives. The most famous was the £8 billion that some people would like to believe was the only reason Ireland voted in favour of the Maastricht treaty. Certain critics have pointed to the lack of financial incentive as the reason the Irish public voted against the Treaty of Nice last year. What people do not seem to realise is that this time the financial carrot is just too large to quantify. Think of the benefits all those extra new citizens will represent when the restrictions on buying Irish products are removed. Think of the Irish entrepreneurs who will be able to move into the new markets and provide products and services that are not currently available in the applicant countries. Think of the opportunity that will be thrown away if we vote "No".