Facts Management.

  The European Union's hopes of more significant global clout centered on Ireland on Friday as voting started in a referendum to ratify the Lisbon Treaty. A year ago, Irish voters rejected the treaty, a watered-down version of the constitution that French and Dutch voters vetoed in 2005. The treaty gives the bloc more decisive leadership, effective foreign policy, and a fairer decision-making system. Follow the link for a clear map of the E.U.   http://www.ezilon.com/european_maps.htm 27 Countries Here are some of the main points of the 250-page treaty. * INSTITUTIONS : E.U. leaders will choose a president of the European Council for a renewable 2-1/2 year term to strengthen the system of rotating presidencies. -- A powerful new foreign policy chief, at the head of an E.U. foreign service, will give the bloc a more significant say on the world stage. The High Representative will answer to E.U. governments, vice-president of the European Commission, and manage t