NINE OUT of 10 voters say they are likely to vote in the second Lisbon referendum on Friday week, according to research carried out by the Referendum Commission.

The research also found the overall level of understanding of the treaty has risen during the referendum campaign with 63% of voters now saying they have at least some understanding of it.

The phone poll of 500 people found 90% of those surveyed say they are quite likely or extremely likely to vote.

Commission chairman Frank Clarke said, "It is very encouraging to see public understanding rising, and the intention to vote being very high."

Clarke, who headed up the body charged with objectively explaining the Lisbon treaty to the electorate for the last few weeks, also poured cold water on claims ratification of the treaty will affect Ireland's minimum wage: "The Irish government sets Ireland's minimum wage. The EU has no input into this nor will it have if the Lisbon treaty is ratified."