Ireland votes on Europe's deficit-fighting treaty

Posters from the no and and yes campaign outside goverment buildings Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Ireland goes to the polls Thursday to vote on the European Fiscal Treaty Referendum. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Posters from the no and and yes campaign outside goverment buildings Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Ireland goes to the polls Thursday to vote on the European Fiscal Treaty Referendum. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

No protesters making their point outside Leinster House, (Irish Parliament) in Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Ireland goes to the polls Thursday to vote on the European Fiscal Treaty Referendum. (AP Photo / Peter Morrison)

A no supporter protests from inside the headquarters of the Referendum offices in Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Ireland goes to the polls Thursday to vote on the European Fiscal Treaty Referendum. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

A huge banner depicting Ireland being bled dry by austerity calls for a "no" vote to the European Union's fiscal treaty in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday, May 25, 2012. Ireland's May 31 referendum represents the only popular test of public support for the treaty, which is designed to restrict the ability of eurozone members to run up deficits. Prime Minister Enda Kenny made a televised appeal to his nation Sunday to support the treaty, arguing it would reassure the world that Ireland is serious about tackling its deficits and staying in the euro. (AP Photo/Shawn Pogatchnik)

Pedestrians and commuters pass a poster calling for a "No" vote to the European Union's fiscal treaty in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday, May 25, 2012. Ireland's May 31 referendum represents the only popular test of public support for the treaty, which is designed to restrict the ability of eurozone members to run up deficits. A new poll says 39 percent plan to vote yes, 30 percent no, while 31 percent are unsure. (AP Photo/Shawn Pogatchnik)

DUBLIN (AP) ? Irish voters are deciding whether their government can ratify the European Union's fiscal treaty, a deficit-fighting pact designed to bind Ireland and other debt-crippled eurozone members to tighter spending limits.

Both sides forecast victory ahead of Thursday's start of voting. Rejection could block Ireland from tapping loans from the EU's rescue fund in 2013 when Ireland's current supply of bailout cash runs out.

Anti-treaty campaigners contend this is an empty EU threat. They say Ireland should vote no, then demand a better debt-management deal from EU and International Monetary Fund chiefs that involves greater write-offs of state-owned bank debt.

All polls during the campaign pointed to the treaty's approval, but similar polls were proved wrong when Ireland voted to reject EU treaties in 2001 and 2008. Results come Friday.

Associated Press

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